Folklore Becomes Fact

Session 130

Characters: Julian, Balin, Samael, Grim, Anthony, Davvin, Lord Thond.

NPCs: Woodbrand's Longsword, Starmetal Golem, Orthaneus: Deathless Wizard, Librarians of Suzail, Alaphondar Emmarsk: High Sage of Cormyr.

L 9 Mirtul 1374 - L 10 Mirtul 1374

3900 XP

After the brief fray between the party, they further discussed possibilities of investigation and decided to call the remaining adventurers from Calantar Keep to help. Lord Thond suggested that they seek out a reclusive wizard whom lived in a tower just north of Waymoot named Endarthar. If he would not have an answer, then they would reluctantly allow Julian to break the mighty sword. Before they left for Waymoot again, Davvin gave Lord Woodbrand's body a last blessing and sealed him in a magical stone sarcophagus. The party returned to Waymoot and presented Woodbrand's coffin to the local Purple Dragon guards. A small ceremony was held and the party explained their findings to the people of Waymoot. After that they headed off into the large and open King's Forest and found Endarthar's tower without incident.

His tower was seated in a small valley and was surrounded by a wild garden that looked neglected for some time. Balin discovered orc tracks and signs of an encampment around the tower, the front door looked to have been smashed down. The party prepared for combat with protective spells and moved in. The first three floors were trapped with minor evocations and looked to have been looted considerably. As the party searched they found 4 dead orcs; two had been killed by the magical traps, the other two however, had been killed by something all together different. Julian and Samael rushed ahead of the party and Anthony followed close behind. On the fifth floor they found a complex magical trap and set to disabling it. Meanwhile, the rest of the party searched through the 4th floor, and were surprised when they found no signs of looting at all. A large room at the south end of the building had a massive metal sculpture of a iron golem at one end and it glowed with a magical aura. Carefully the party approached the suit of armor, but as they drew close Grim noticed that the magical aura was a Nystal's Magic Aura. Suddenly, the party was attacked from behind by a great dust covered metal warrior and began to choke on toxic gas.

Thond, Davvin, and Balin began to attack the golem with their weapons but found penetrating its armor extremely difficult. Grim became the focus of the golem's attacks and soon attempted to flee for his life finding that he had hit a Wall of Force, they were trapped! Grim Recalled back to his magical demiplane away from the battle and the golem and toxic gases were quickly taking a heavy toll on the rest of the party. Davvin called upon the dead god Kelemvor and a great Angel of Death appeared before the golem battling against it. Julian and Samael had just finished disabling the traps when they were set upon by a ghostly figure dressed in the robes of a noble Cormyrian war wizard. The figure demanded they explain what they were doing in his tower and they began to tell of their adventuring charter, Woodbrand's sword, and their search for the great wizard Endarthar. The ghostly figure called Endarthar a cheater, coward and a weak wizard and introduced himself as Orthaneus, the true master of this tower. After more brief conversation Julian, Samael, and Anthony went back to the 4th floor to find Woodbrand's sword and saw instead the desperate combat unfolding inside a Cube of Force. Orthaneus immediately called off his mighty Starmetal Golem, halting the combat.

Then the party was invited to the 5th floor where Orthaneus explained he was killed by Endarthar in a mage duel to assume control over the rival's tower. Since the war had broken out in Cormyr Endarthar had packed up all the tower's valuables and returned to his homeland of Tethyr. Orthaneus advised the party that it would probably be best to Disjoin the sword and then break the hilt. During the conversation Julian became enthralled by the sword once again, grabbed it and Blinked out of the tower. Samael and Grim followed in pursuit slowing him down. Then Orthaneus hesitated no longer and Disjoined the sword while it lay unattended on the ground. The sword's magic was now gone and Anthony slowly set to work dismantling the hilt to gain access to the scroll. While that was proceeding Davvin questioned Orthaneus on the reasons for his not leaving for the afterlife. Orthaneus explained the great necessity of revenge upon Endarthar and Grim sympathized as a fellow wizard. Davvin managed to convince Orthaneus to leave with the promise from Grim that Endarthar would be killed in his name and that Orthaneus' tower would be re-built and maintained in its former beauty by Grim. Anthony had finished removing the scroll and found that it contained a code written in an indecipherable alphabet. The letters resembled elven, draconic, and arcane scripts at times and were clearly in some sort of substituted code. The party consulted with Orthaneus who explained he knew nothing of this language, although his response seemed suspicious. He told the party he may have seen it in the Library of Suzail earlier in his life however, that too seemed rushed.

The party could not solve the code and with no other leads decided to go to the Library of Suzail and speak again with the High Sage Alaphondar. After not too much time waiting they received a council with the High Sage and began collecting books concerning the Knights Draconis. The party studied with Alaphondar for several hours through mostly fiction and poetry which only speculated upon the organization. Clearly, this was not the historical evidence they were hoping for. Alaphondar promised that in the morning his librarians would have collected more material which may have a translation of the coded message they discovered. Alaphondar returned up the winding staircase to his personal quarters and Julian again sensed a suspicious element to the High Sage's behavior. The party returned to sleep after a very one day in Lord Thond's manor. After a couple hours, Julian and Samael decided to sneak back out into the library of Suzail and may a personal visit to Alaphondar's tower. The full moon made hiding difficult along the grounds of the Court gardens however Julian and Samael managed to gain access to a high window in the tower and dismantled a magical alarm.

In the tower they found a table which had many of its items pushed to one side. On the opposite side lay a circular cipher, and two copies of the exact coded message they had found in Woodbrand's sword. "Full moon on Hullack touches thee, Proud warrior conquering benches three, Where the smaller steel points a way, Stand where the lonely warrior may." They had little time to search more, however Julian managed to copy down the solved message, a poem, onto parchment and the pair of thieves escaped into the night. They quickly returned to Lord Thond's manor and woke up the remaining party members. tonight was a full moon and it was rapidly approaching dawn, there was little time to spare. After analyzing the poem, Anthony recalled the legend of Warrior-King Dhalmass I whom conquered the western Dalelands in the name of Cormyr. A statue which honors his memory stands on the edge of the Wyvernwater Lake near the Hullack Forest. The party Teleported to the statue and now stood in the misty presence of the Wyvernwater Lake. Close examination of the statue, and Woodbrand's poem allowed the party to activate a portal near where King Dhalmass' squire would stand. Samael acted first, sacrificing blood on the statue before entering. Anthony noticed that fresh blood had already been spilled this night upon the statue, Alaphondar perhaps? Each party member did the same blood sacrifice and appeared in a much different place soon after.

A Patriot's Sword

Session 129

Characters: Julian, Grim, Anthony, Samael.

NPCs: Woodbrand's Longsword, Hrathdorr the Giant-Slayer Great Spear.

E 9 Mirtul 1374 - L 9 Mirtul 1374

5100 XP

The silence after the battle was broken as the ice Cael had formed to block the waterfall began to split and shatter. Soon the waterfall was once again flowing hard, the passage blocked. Through Balin's magic they returned briefly to Calantar Keep which had been continuing to make preparations for war under the guidance of Constal Manton. Since the party had split of the 5th of Mirtul, Wyvernspur's army had been receiving reinforcements and volunteers on a daily basis. To the south a large ground force had arrived from the new Parliamentarian capitol Marsember. It was estimated that more than 30 War Wizards could be present, with twice as many divine casters in the ranks. The Red Raven company also was growing in strength as reserve members from adventuring parties began showing up for the upcoming battle as well. Wyvernspur's force retained many of the traditional qualities of a Cormyrian army, however it differed in that he had removed much of the unit heraldry and identification. This combined with the mixed numbers of militiamen, Purple Dragon Knights, War Wizards, Priests, and Red Ravens, was making the scouting of his force's full strength difficult.

Anthony resurrected both Cael and Julian and then the party made a quick return to the necromancer's cave. Grim used a Wall of Force to angle the flow of water away from the entrance and the party moved in. They traveled through a winding, cramped tunnel and Julian disabled a number of hastily set magical traps. The tunnel opened up into a circular-shaped cave that was filled with luxurious black and purple furnishings. In the center of the room was a pit filled with manacles and bones, resting on the top was the dried up corpse of Lord Filfar Woodbrand. Samael carefully searched the room and found that the necromancer's book collection was filled with information concerning the Cult of the Dragon. Under the bed and hidden by a magical illusion, Samael found a large chest that he dared not touch. Julian meanwhile examined the body of Woodbrand and found that he had been chained here for at least the past day, and tortured; his death was most likely recent and due to an Energy Drain. With a bit of luck and some experience in searching, Julian found an eerie message that looked to have been carved with a bone into the forehead of a skull near Woodbrand's body. The message read "Hilt", and the party immediately began a search for Woodbrand's old sword.

Julian, Grim, and Anthony spent a considerable amount of time, and spells disarming the well protected chest that Samael had found. Inside was a number of Woodbrand's old adventuring effects including a beautiful longsword which glowed with a dull purple light. It's blade and hilt seemed to be forged of one metal upon Anthony Manton's inspection and the hilt pictured a curling dragon. Grim sat with the sword, and meditated on its magical aura. He saw flashes of great battles, feasts, victories, weddings, and funerals all from the hilt's perspective. Grim concentrated further and pushed back the sword's memories to the time it was first forged and could only see a small scroll being scribed by an unrecognizable figure. The party soon believed that Woodbrand's sword contained a scroll vital to their quest. Julian began to examine the inspiring weapon as well, showing it the dead Lord Woodbrand, the message he had scribed, their adventuring charter, and described their quest to defend the Crown Prince Azoun V. After a moment of silence, Julian was struck with a powerful surge from the sword and heard the words, "then destroy me" in his mind. Magically compelled by the powerful weapon, Julian raised the sword in his hand and the rest of the party knew what he was about to do.

Anthony rushed at Julian but his attempt to parry missed, and Julian was able to lock himself within a Cube of Force. Grim Teleported in and sent a blast of force and Julian however, it was Spell Turned and Grim was instantly killed by his own spell. Anthony Dimension Doored into the Cube as well, Revivifying Grim from his death. Julian evaded once more and created a new Cube of Force than was blasted away by a powerful Disintigrate from Grim. Samael summond the mighty Great Spear Hrathdorr and knocked Woodbrand's sword from Julian's grasp. The blade clanged as it hit the stone, surged once more before fading back to its former dull purple hue. After the fray Julian explained that although e was compelled magically he still believed it was in Cormyr's best interest to shatter the blade and retrieve the scroll inside. Anthony and Grim warned of the possible magical explosion that could destroy the scroll or worse. Furthermore, what if it was a trick to ensure the blade's true power didn't fall into the wrong hands? The party argued intensely as Woodbrand's blade sat silent on the stone floor.

The Dracolich Master

Session 128

Characters: Julian, Tulgar, Balin, Cael.

NPCs: Blue Ancient Wyrm Dracolich, Green Ancient Wyrm Dracolich, Red Ancient Wyrm Dracolich, Wearer of Purple Necromancer, Greater Devourer, Greater Dread Wraith, 2 Red Proto-Dracoliches, White Proto-Dracolich.

E 8 Mirtul 1374 - E 9 Mirtul 1374

9000 XP

Now standing in the darkened Storm Horn Mountains, the party made haste into a large cavern entrance which looked for have been hollowed from a great waterfall ages ago. Inside however, they found few signs of life, except for a small stream running under their feet. Moving in further Julian carefully searched the opening cavern room with his arcane vision and found a large magical signature hiding in a watery pool. Suddenly, an Ancient Blue Dracolich rose from the stagnant pool and blasted the party with a crackling bolt of electricity. The smell of its rotting bones and burning flesh choked the adventurers as they struggled to fight back. Julian and Tulgar moved forth to attack while Balin and Cael prepared an onslaught of spells. The stench however, suddenly grew even worse and the party turned to the opening of the great cave only to see a pair of Ancient Dracoliches crouched to the ground in the darkness. The small cavern exploded with fire, and corrosive gas, and lightning once more and both Cael and Balin were killed. Julian wasted no time in Teleporting the party away from the combat to the only place he new could be capable of resurrecting such grievous losses of life, the Fortress of the Faithful.

The party found the Fortress to be well-underway with the reconstruction process, the acolytes in good spirits. They were greeted heartily and taken into the healing presences of the temple's priests. Cael and Balin were resurrected the 8 hours later after the morning prayers to the Triad gods. Then they ate with the priests there, described their battle with the dracoliches, and each adventurer was bestowed with a great spell, immunity to acid. The adventurers said their goodbyes and returned to the mountain pass during the early morning as the sun was just rising over the Storm Horns.

Entering the cave they found its walls to be in perpetual darkness and began to search keenly through the tunnels. They found a number of divination traps which may have altered their presence to the undead monsters, and Julian felt there was something suspicious concerning the waterfall. Cael froze the upper portion in ice and just as the water stopped its torrential flow, the party was set upon again by the elemental blasts of the dracoliches. More well-prepared for combat, Cael charged towards one and nearly disabled it with an incredible blast from his mageblade. Julian struck another for little damage, and Balin's choice of a Moonbeam was ineffective at best against the rotting dragons. Julian was then struck multiple times by the one and paralyzed by its fearsome presence. Tulgar charged in and destroyed a dracolich after being severely wounded himself. Then, just as it seemed the battle was turning it their favor, a shadowy black figure levitated from the waterfall's opening and pointed its terrible fingers at Cael, draining his life significantly. Cael destroyed another dracolich, however rising from the watery pool in the cave's center was another rotting dragon, and then another. Tulgar and Balin focused their attacks on the Proto-Dracoliches and Cael was finally struck dead by the necromantic energy of the shadowy figure. Cael's fate was far worse however, when his withered corpse rose in his amour as a terrible undead Devourer. Tulgar quickly dispatched the undead Devourer before it could drain any more life and bean to battle the Dracoliches once more. Balin had Shapechanged into an Huge Bronze Dragon and was also being drained of his life by the shadow.

Meanwhile, the Proto-Dracolich near Julian was having trouble with a Coup De Grace because of his illusionary defenses. The remaining Red Dracolich returned to its aid and blasted the paralyzed Julian with fire, killing him. The necromancer had raised Cael's corpse once more, and this time he became a Dread Wraith and set upon Balin. Tulgar leapt upon Balin's back and attacked the shadow with the rage of his ancestors. The necromancer fell to the ground dead, and his shadowy aura began to diminish. Unfortunately, Tulgar and Balin were now surrounded by Cael's Dread Wraith, a Red Ancient Dracolich, and two Proto-Dracoliches. With only one option in sight of ending the battle quickly, Balin crashed himself as a Huge Bronze Dragon down 50 feet into the stone floor, smashing the necromancer's body. The three precious phylateries he had used to control the Dracoliches were instantly crushed under the massive force and a series of magical explosions from beneath Balin nearly killed him. Tulgar once again dispatched of the Dread Wraith and the battle was won.

Assassination of the Trollkiller

Session 127

Characters: Julian, Tulgar, Balin, Cael.

NPCs: Purple Dragon Guards (Waymoot).

L 7 Mirtul 1374 - E 8 Mirtul 1374

8500 XP

The party now stood before the closed wooden door of Woodbrand's joyful moothouse where they had stayed just two nights prior. Luckily for Waymoot, there were no signs of attack on the town as in the recent attack on its sister town Dhedluk. Finding no signs of forced entry upon the door or frame the party moved inside. The long room with wood furnishings was torn to pieces as if like in Thiombur's home, the assassin had come for something more than murder. The party spoke with the local Purple Dragons whom were also investigating the scene and were shown the locations where Woodbrand and his wife had been found. Julian searched the room precariously while Balin tracked and Cael looked for magical signatures. After their investigation the party concluded the following. First, that the assailant was more similar to the thief whom tore Thiombur's home apart than the style of senseless destruction created by the Eye Rippers. Second, the assailant probably entered through magical means and attacked Woodbrand's wife first in the kitchen. Third, the assailant moved quickly down the moothouse and encountered Woodbrand. None of the Trollkiller's former magical items were found, however a sword gash was found in a joist indicating Woodbrand may have made a brief attempt to fight back and raise alarm. Fourth, no townsfolk reported any unusual noises, or lights from the moothouse so magical silence and darkness spells may have additionally been employed. The party was shown the rope that Woodbrand's body was found hanging by in the rafters of his moothouse ceiling. Julian found that the majority of the searching done by the thief occurred in his large poetry and literature collection. Like his good friend Thiombur, Woodbrand was often considered one of Cormyr's greatest Warrior-Poets and patriots. What information the thief could have found or been looking for was unknown.

Julian did however, manage to find that there were faint markings and indentations that glinted in the firelight off the surface of a large book. The book had most likely been thrown to the floor from his desk and upon a charcoal rub, Julian discovered that these were the old pressure points of Woodbrand's original message to Thiombur. The missing sections Woodbrand had "trouble remembering" were now clear. The most suprising thing however was that the message was already complete. The missing segments eluded to an alternate word arrangement, and the charcoal marks further revealed the encoded first draft! Woodbrand's original intended message. It was coded in opposite word meaning and the words linked both Woodbrand and Thiombur to the involvements in the Knights Draconis organization. The message warned that the upcoming meeting must be canceled for security reasons. If this hidden script was genuine, it would give legitimacy to hundreds of years of un-believed draconic folklore.

The party also was allowed to examine the bodies of Woodbrand and his wife. Cael's close examination of the wife revealed that a powerful evocation spell had destroyed her head, she was obviously of no informative use for the assailant. Woodbrand's body however, was wrought with torturous wounds. Unlike the evidence found in his moothouse, this would indicate a long torture and much time being spent inside the house. Balin found a black porous rock lodged deep in Woodbrand's throat, the final cause of death. This piece upon further analysis however, was in fact charred dragon bone. Woodbrand's eyes remained within his skull, further evidence that the Eye Rippers were not involved. Julian stared at the body in sadness, however after a number of minutes he noticed the faint glow of magic within the body. Cael immediately casted a Greater Dispel Magic upon Woodbrand's corpse and before their eyes, the Transmutation ended revealing the corpse of a dried up Troll! The reason Woodbrand's soul was not present for resurrection was now even clearer... he was still alive.

Balin immediately went to work further analyzing the dragon bone, unfortunately it served as the only possible link to the killer they had. After some very difficult scrying Balin thought he had found the location of a cave in the Storm Horn Mountains that seemed to posses the remainder of the very same skeleton. Night had fallen fast and with little starlight shining through the thick cloud cover the party Teleported to the western Storm Horn Mountains.

Black Feathers & Treachery

Session 126

Characters: Julian, Tulgar, Cael, Balin.

NPCs: Grezalgog: Greater Stone Giant, Black Raven Tribesman, Giant Black Ravens,

L 7 Mirtul 1374 - L 8 Mirtul 1374

5250 XP

The party healed their grievous wounds from the battle with the Black Raven Giant tribesman and began searching for tracks of passage. The night sky was dark and the storm horn crags were not favorable for tracking. However, fortunately for Balin and the party, mountain giants are quite easy to track regardless! Their massive footprints lead the party to a series of large caravan entrances, high in the mountains which out to the south over Cormyr. They cautiously entered and were hit with a terrible festering smell, giant black raven feathers littered the area. Tulgar realized something critical in that since he had been responsible for the death of their chieftain he could rename himself the new chieftain as long as no other barbarian warrior challenged him. Though it was a great risk, the thought of battling an even greater number of the powerful Black Raven warriors drove him further into the cave alone. Tulgar boldly announced his presence by throwing the massive ear of their chief onto the ground and with a great Uthgardt roar and proclaimed himself to be the slayer of their leader and the new chief of the tribe. Staring at him was a large group of giants, and oversized humans clad in crude raven feathered clothing. From deeper in the cave the party heard the loud squawking of many ravens. One great stone giant stood up and announced himself as Grezalgog, challenging Tulgar's inheritance of the tribe. The remaining Uthgardt barbarians began to smash stone upon stone in a deafening rhythm. Battle between the two great warriors was joined.

After only a couple blows from their spiked weapons, both warriors were in grave condition. Tulgar called upon his ancestral weapon Gar and struck first, killing Grezalgog. The smashing of stones halted and the remaining Uthgardt tribesman dared not challenge the warrior Tulgar whom had slayed their 5 strongest warriors and giants. Reluctantly at first, the tribe clothed him in black feathers for Tulgar had clearly earned his place of honor. The barbarians of the Black Raven tribe offered a giant-sized meal to their new chieftain and the rest of the party. The Black Ravens were crude and violent, however Tulgar saw in them the honor of Uthgar himself and new that their evil ways could be redeemed. Balin spoke with the raven mounts and found them to be intelligent, crude, and sarcastic tricksters. During the remainder of the night more Black Raven scouts came into the cave from their patrols reporting the movements of various merchant trains and Purple Dragon regiments. Tulgar spoke with the Black Ravens concerning the draconic symbol he had found on their chieftain. The ravens said that he had been regularly meeting recently with a shadowy figure clothed in purple robes. That individual had given them much intelligence, magical items, and resources necessary to increase their raiding considerably. Whom this person was however, was something their chieftain had kept a secret. Tulgar used his first power of the tribe to command them to cease their attacks on merchant caravans and Purple Dragons and instead focus on tracking orc movements and orcish supply wagons. The Black Ravens agreed, for their hatred of orcs equally matched that of the weakening humans, and Tulgar had pointed out their rising strength to be a direct threat to the Black Raven tribe.

In the morning the party said goodbye to the Black Raven tribesman and Teleported to Suzail once more. There in the beautiful royal court gardens they sought out Alaphondar at his tower in the great Library of Suzail. After a thorough security check the party was welcomed into to a private viewing area where, fine wine, cheese, and prepared cart of literature awaited. During the meeting the party explained their findings to the old Royal Sage about Dhedluk and their conversations with Lord Woodbrand of Waymoot. Alaphondar described to the party that the symbol seemed to reference a secret society in Cormyr's legendary history known as the Knights Draconis. Although no formal proof of the organization existed, there were a number of tales and personal accounts that continually references it. The Knights Draconis was said to be an organization started early in Cormyr's history with the goal of helping the Purple Dragon. Alaphondar did not pause but did restate that those whom believed in the Knights Draconis also believed that the Purple Dragon was real. Hundreds of accounts of wood cutters, fisherman, and other nature-folk have been recorded though many are wrought with misinformation and unreliable. The Sage himself felt that based on the type of tattoo, and Thiombur's indulgences in legend as a warrior-poet, it was likely he had it done to honor the myth itself. After Alaphondar's purely scholarly account of the Knights Draconis he answered the party's questions pertaining to recent parliamentarian matters. Then after much discussion the party decided to visit Alusair and the other royals to inform them of what they had encountered in the Storm Horn Mountains west of Castle Crag.

Entering the court again, the party hoped there would be a more order than what they had seen the previous day. However, to their chagrin they found the royals in court to be quite unsettled, Alusair was in her chamber. The party waited at her door until her meeting was through and could hear the sounds of a powerful male yelling defensively. The door suddenly opened and a strongly built man dressed in red parliamentarian colors stormed out, his uniform was recognizable as that of an admiral. Alusair furiously described to the party that Ayesunder Truesilver, the Warden of the Port of Marsember and Admiral of Cormyr's Royal Navy had just threatened to blockade Suzail if Alusair contested the inheritance rights of current Stag Steads Lord Fletcher Hawksongs, a young and arrogant Parliamentarian leader. Alusair had outright refused saying that Waymoot would remain a royalist town and Fletcher would be killed on site as a traitor. Lord Woodbrand of Waymoot had been found dead and hanging from the rafters of his moothouse, his wife also killed. With Woodbrand dead and Hawksongs claiming his rights to the Waymoot rulership Alusair was tied once again. She asked that the party go quickly to Waymoot and investigate what had happened to Woodbrand and the state of affairs in the town in general. The party agreed and Teleported at once to the front entrance of Woodbrand's moothouse in Waymoot.

Ravens in the Crags

Session 125

Characters: Julian, Tulgar, Balin, Davvin, Cael.

NPCs: Castle Crag Guardsman, 3 Mountain Giants (Black Raven Uthgardt), 1 Mountain Giant chieftain.

M 7 Mirtul 1374 - L 7 Mirtul 1374

8800 XP

A minutes turned to hours and as the sun began to set the party felt as though they were under watch. At one point Balin thought he had seen a black figure in the sky although on second glance it looked like the shadow of a darkening cloud. With darkness set in the party began to slow the wagon down as it passed through the mountain's terrible crags. The horses became restless and all at once 2 great Mountain Giants clothed in giant black raven feathers and a number of massive boulders smashed into the caravan from above. Julian immediately ended the illusion and combat was joined. The party was now under siege by the largest giants they had ever set eyes upon. Cael began to cut through a nearby giant with Calinus Brumalis and summoned an Elder Ice Elemental. Balin although crushed in the initial attack Wildshaped into an earth elemental and began to summon an Elder Air Elemental. The giants began to grab the party and spike them violently into other members and nearly killed Tulgar if it were not for his ancestral armor. Cael exchanged mighty blows with one Mountain Giant and both were killed in the process. Davvin resurrected Cael seconds later and the spellsword returned to the fray.

As Julian struck one giant with a Vampiric Touch from his necromantic mace he noticed that the giant was also undergoing strange magical healing from an amulet half covered under his raven feathered cloak. Tulgar also smashed into the giants with his spiked chain, Balin Firestormed them, however both were thrown violently as well and soon the fight would be lethal. Julian began to alter time with his new arcane powers and turned the tide of battle upon the regenerating Mountain Giants. Finally, Tulgar squared off with their chieftain and dealt a devastating blow, killing the giant instantly. After what seemed like an eternity of battle between the adventurers and the barbaric giants, they were victorious. When the battle had ended Julian and Cael examined the magical amulets finding that they were not shaped like Ravens or traditional Uthgardt symbols. Instead they were symbols of a dragon with outstretched wings. More disturbing was the fact that it was stylized like that of the mythological Cormyrian Purple Dragon. Tulgar remembered what Svlauf the Splitter had told him of the powerful Uthgardt Black Raven tribes and thought it may be possible for them to be receiving additional help for their destructive services. Who this was however was still unclear.

Parliament Strengthens

Session 124

Characters: Julian, Tulgar, Balin, Nomin, Cael.

NPCs: James Cormaeril, Alusair Obarskyr, Cormyrian Nobles, Lord Alaphondar Emmarsk: Royal Sage of Cormyr.

E 7 Mirtul 1374 - M 7 Mirtul 1374

4200 XP

The morning sun rose quickly and the party drowsily pulled themselves from Woodbrand's comfortable moothouse to return to Suzail once more. They Teleported to the outer edge of the royal gardens finding that the court was meeting with Parliamentarian leaders to discuss a possible solution before Cormyr split apart into war. Upon entering the royal court building the party saw a large group of politicians and nobles boldly displaying red colors to signify their allegiance to the newly proposed Parliamentarian state of Cormyr. Both the royal and parliamentarian sides were under the fierce watch of their elite troops. This time the Parliamentarian majority leader James Cormaeril was present and speaking out against the Regent for her inaptitude in handling the massive pirating problems, orcs, barbarian raiders, declining economics, poor relations with Sembia, and other current issues. Nomin flew into a rage upon hearing this and shouted against the Cormaeril asking for the Regent to behead the Parliamentarian leaders now. Royalists and moderates alike quickly opposed this as a rash decision that may have lead to their martydom, and an instant bloody revolution. The parliamentarians began to attempt to gain the support of the undecided lords and faltering royalists. However, when this did not succeed they announced the news that the Regent and her staff had also just become aware of. Castle Crag, the largest concentrated force of Royalist Purple Dragon Knights to the north had just joined the rebellion under the leadership of Lord Vorik Aris. This change greatly brought down the military strength Alusair had been hoping to retain, and furthermore it left the royalist town of Arabel sandwiched between two very large Parliamentarian forces.

Still worse was the fact that Lord Vorik Aris' troops would be nearly invincible with their current commander Isidar Fianche, "the victor". Ornrion Fianche was both a Flankmaster in the prestigious church of the Red Knight and an experienced Purple Dragon Knight. After recently volunteering for the Cormyrian military he quickly rose to the rank of Ornrion and has never been defeated in battle. Julian and Tulgar gave powerful speeches to the lords attempting to gain their favor back to the royalist side, stopping many from filtering out in dismay. After the meeting, the Parliamentarian lords had Teleported away and Alusair called for the party to meet her again. During the meeting the party explained to Alusair what they had discovered in Dhedluk and Waymoot. Alusair asked that they again go and demand a council with Alaphondar for help in decipheringng the mysterious symbol found on Thiombur. Furthermore, she asked that the party venture up to Castle Crag; figure out if what the Parliamentarians said was correct, and finally attempt to hunt down and destroy the Eye Rippers once and for all. With Castle Crag now a Parliamentarian fortress the threat of orc and barbarian raiding parties in the northern lands had just increased greatly.

After the meeting with the Alusair, the party Teleported to a rocky cliffside which looked out to Castle Crag to the east. They then traveled to the mountain fortress and found that it was clearly flying the red parliamentarian colors. Balin easily noticed that there were many heavy tracks in the ground leading southwest and away from Castle Crag. Castle Crag had obviously moved a significant amount of troops southward within the past day. In speaking with the current guards of Castle Crag the party learned the locations of a number of the local mountain range's most dangerous points. A tour of service through it was often considered the "death hike" by the Castle Crag knights. The party decided to set up a false merchant caravan to draw in a heavy attack from orc or barbarian tribesman and then follow their trail to find the Eye Rippers. As such, the party purchased 4 wagons and 8 horses from the guards (at a much inflated rate), and magically disguised them with illusions and leftover Purple flags that the guards no longer wanted. The party then began the march through the "death hike" trail with the newly made rich merchant caravan complete with illusionary guards.

Bad Luck for Dhedluk

Session 123

Characters: Julian, Balin, Tulgar, Lord Thond, Nomin.

NPCs: Kynwras Firsul, Caladnei: Royal Magician of Cormyr, Townsfolk of Dhedluk, Purple Dragon Knights (Dhedluk), Lord Dier Emmarsk, Lord Filfar "Trollkiller" Woodbrand (Waymoot).

L 6 Mirtul 1374 - E 7 Mirtul 1374

6200 XP

Kynwras Firsul and Caladnei had returned with a huge reinforcement of War Wizards to find that the party had already battled off the Eye-Rippers. The people still in attendance thanked the party with all their gratitude, however celebrations were not an order yet. Caladnei and the others began to search for the point of entry outside the castle. The Eye-Ripper swath of destruction had stopped there however, and with nearly all the Dimensional Archor stones still functioning in the gardens, the War Wizards seemed to be stuck. Balin meanwhile, had been tracking their movements through listening to the garden fauna, and gathering what visual cues he could from his skill as a tracker. In no time he had tracked the presence to a small star-shaped grove of trees covered in thick ivy. In the center of this grove stood a modest Blueleaf tree and Balin notified Caladnei and the War Wizards. Caladnei had not had time to investigate all of Cormyr's many portals and after some magical analysis with Julian's help it was clear this tree possessed a Teleportation link to another location. They would however, require the necessary keys to open the portal. Caladnei gave Julian a Passagestone and with some quick wits, the Tethyrian rouge managed to solve a Cormyrian riddle and gain access to the portal. One-by-one the party stepped in and found themselves in an identical grove somewhere far away.

Leaving the ivy covered grove, the party found themselves in the recently sacked village of Dhedluk. Some burning buildings were still being put out by the local townsfolk. More disturbing however, was that just outside the grove, the party found the corpse of Lord Thiombur, the mayor of Dhedluk. Through Balin's observations it was clear, Thiombur had suffered through a quick and intense torture which culminated in his eyes being excised from his skull. As the party interrogated the townsfolk they discovered that the town had been hit suddenly with blasts of fire and magic during the night. Some had reported movements of large shadows toward the east end of town near the grove. Thiombur's moothouse, though untouched by the flames, looked as though a whirlwind had struck inside. Julian figured out that this had been the work of someone other than the Eye-Rippers and that they were searching exclusively through Thiombur's large collection of personal poetry. What the thief had taken would remain unclear, portal words perhaps, but this seemed like the work of someone who knew exactly what they had wanted. During his searched Julian did find a very recent letter addressed to Thiombur from Lord Filfar Woodbrand. The letter seemed to concern the recent Parliamentarian uprising, although its side was torn and there were large portions of the message that appeared to be missing.

After the search of Thiombur's moothouse, the party was allowed by the Purple Dragon Knights on duty to examine his body. During a magical search the party found a strange symbol among a number of tattoos. The tattoo glowed only in the moonlight and depicted a Cormyrian stylized dragon curled into a circle, eating its own tail; the spikes on its backside resembled that of a crown. Julian attempted to replicate this image on paper but found great resistance in doing it. Those the party spoke to concerning this seemed to have little idea what the symbol could have meant. The party had finished their investigation of Dhedluk and decided to return to Suzail through the Blueleaf tree's portal. Back in the gardens a very extensive magical security effort was underway to ensure that something of the sort never happened again. The party informed Kynwras Firsul, and Caladnei about the Dhedluk investigation and Lord Thiombur's assassination. The two were greatly troubled and recommended that the party seek out Alaphondar the Sage of Cormyr about the magical tattoo they had found. Julian left a copy to Alaphondar's apprentice and son Dier Emmarsk. The party also sought out Woodbrand in Suzail but were told that after the attacks by the Eye Rippers, he had Teleported home to ensure that Waymoot was safe. So without as much as a pause to catch their breath, the party Teleported to Lord Woodbrand's hometown.

Waymoot was much like Dhedluk in that both were small King's Forest communities. However, Waymoot had not undergone any attack, although most of the residents were awake upon hearing the news the royal court was attacked by orcs. The party was cordially invited into Woodbrand's moothouse where his beautiful wife prepared Roast Gammon Pie. The party spoke with Woodbrand about the earlier attacks by the Eye-Rippers, his good friend Lord Thiombur's death, the attack on Dhedluk, and the magical dragon circle they found on his body. Thiombur shared many stories concerning his friendship with Thiombur, the dismal state of Parliamentarian politics, and seemed greatly shattered by all of the recent news. He also recommended the party seek out Alaphondar for guidance on the symbol's meaning. Woodbrand made an unusually poor attempt to fill in some of the holes in the message he had written to Thiombur. However, it was late, much mead had been drank, and many things weighed heavily on the old Trollkiller's mind. The party stayed with Woodbrand in his moothouse that night.

Blind Bloodshed

Session 122

Characters: Julian, Balin, Tulgar, Lord Thond.

NPCs: Obold's Eye Rippers: Korgak the Frenzied berserker, Sarhbub the Sorcerer, Xuthakug the Cleric of Gruumsh, Bazbilg the Rouge, Kynwras Firsul, Caladnei: Royal Magician of Cormyr.

L 6 Mirtul 1374 - L 6 Mirtul 1374

8600 XP

The uncomfortable political tension was suddenly broken in the great hall as a fearsome party of 4 orcs splintered the double doors and began cutting through scores of unprepared adventurers and noble guests. Immediately, Kynwras Firsul Recalled Azoun V to safety as the other War Wizard sentinels began Teleporting the rest of the Obarskyrs. As the panicked crowd rushed back towards the royal table for protection, Pinehill's adventurers prepared for a bloody fight. Tulgar had heard legends of Obold's Eye Rippers, an elite group of orcish warriors beyond any in the northern tribes. Utterly loyal to Obold through his status as the chosen of Gruumsh, the Eye Rippers had somehow reached the inner gardens of Suzail and were rampaging through the ranks of inferior Purple Dragon knight defenders. Tulgar rushed forward and met Korgak in a brutal physical combat, however instantly the Eye-Rippers became shrouded in Continual Darkness. Although Tulgar dealt punishing blows capable of killing many other opponents, the blood-raging orc would not fall and the Darkness would not relent. Instead, Korgak returned blows more terrible than he had ever experienced and Tulgar was soon at Tempest's doorstep. Sarhbub blasted Lord Thond with an icy ray, freezing him and immediately halting his charge. Julian would attempt to disintegrate the sorcerer though it failed. Balin's spell casting attempts were countered by the well-prepared cleric Xuthakug. Then, Julian managed to reflect a Greater Dispel Magic back at the sorcerer and in an arcane-fueled effort managed to slay the rouge Bazbilg by surprise.

Balin did all he could to keep Lord Thond and Tulgar alive from unstoppable assaults by the frenzied Korgak. Julian then blasted the weakened sorcerer to death and gained a strategic advantage next to the cleric Xuthakug. However, before he could act again, the dark cleric smashed into Julian with divine wrath and disappeared into the darkness. The very same round as Tulgar and Thond struggled to stay alive, Korgak also disappeared. The onset of abrupt silence following the terrible battle lasted only seconds as more Purple Dragon guards and spell casters rushed in to save the dying victims all around. Though the Eye-Rippers had escaped, the party had done an incredible act by dealing them their first defeat. Furthermore, they had saved the Obarskyrs and the lives of many adventurers and nobles.

A Gesture of Fealty

Session 121

Characters: Julian, Balin, Nomin, Lord Thond, Cael, Tulgar.

NPCs: 4 Royal Guards of Suzail, Mendryll Belarod: Herald of Suzail, Alusair Obarskyr: the Regent of Cormyr, Lamiril Cormaeril: Court Lawyer (Cormaeril House), Crown Prince Azoun V, Kynwras Firsul: Watcher of Suzail, Queen Filfaeril Obarskyr, Svlauf the Splitter (Bloodaxes), Pahelhe Firecaster (She-Wolves), Gaerhi Magognir (Emerald Swords).

E 6 Mirtul 1374 - L 6 Mirtul 1374

4800 XP

With Wyvernspur's Parliamentarian army just north of Calantar Keep, the party decided that it would be best to visit the Royal Court in Suzail before a full-scale conflict erupted. Anthony Manton chose to stay with his Knights of the Cleansing Flame to direct their defensive efforts. Julian Teleported the party to the expansive and luxurious royal gardens in Suzail where they were met by 2 pairs of Royal Knights and War Wizards. After explaining that they were noble emissaries from Tethyr, the guards stripped the party of their weapons and escorted them into the court building where a session was currently underway. Nomin Ohtar however, was recognized upon entering as an exile of Cormyr and taken away. He pleaded with the guards explaining that he had returned a changed man and that he wished nothing more than to re-pledge his loyalty to the Crown. Upon hearing this, Alusair the Regent of Cormyr rose form her slouched position and voiced her support to re-establishment Nomin as a Cormyrian citizen. Lamiril staunchly opposed this motion by Alusair, citing it as unjust, tyrannical, and impulsive decision by the Obarskyrs; another reason why the remaining undecided lords should join the Parliamentarian movement. The voices of debate rose like flames in the Court following Cormaeril's accusations. Support for Cormaeril was strongly stated by the other present Parliamentarian lords. Julian and Tulgar stood up against the Parliamentarian lords, defending both Alusair's decision and Nomin Ohtar's character and honor. Despite their efforts, the Parliamentarian lords gained more support from the undecided members of the Court and seemed invigorated by the decision which Alusair intended to use to her advantage.

During the righteous shouting of another Cormaeril speech, an unlikely man stepped forth to batter the Parliamentarian morale. None other than the royalist Lord Thond, a former brave adventurer, distinguished noble, and secondary owner in the Thousand Heads Trading Priakos. Thond was at one time one of Cormyr's most distinguished knights; then during an adventurer in the Marsh of Tun west of the Storm Horn Mountains he became lost. Years later, Thond was found wandering the wilderness, half-insane and with no memory of where he had been. Although the 6 foot tall and well-built lord still attended the Court sessions he was required to by his noble heritage, he usually remained silent, except for the occasional non-sensical outburst of course. This time however, his composure of old had returned and in a bold, patriotic speech, Thond captured the allegiances of the wavering nobles by surprise. Support for Alusair's decision and the Crown would live on for at least another few days as the Parliamentarian lords stormed out of the Court defeated.

Following the Court session, Alusair asked that the adventurers and Lord Thond meet her to discuss future matters. Gathered in a lavish chamber, Regent Alusair also introduced the party to Lord Thond and Lord Partic Thistle: the Registrant General of Cormyr responsible for all adventuring charters in Cormyr. The party questioned Alusair on the rising orc threat, the Parliamentarian force lead by Wyvernspur, and other political matters. She explained that although things had been worsening in Cormyr for some time, the lack of support by certain lords had forced her to threaten revoking their noble claims. Alusair recognized the immense power that the party wielded and spoke with them not as a politician but as a fellow adventurer herself. She asked if they would join the royalist support and sign a charter to destroy the orc threat and defend Azoun V as the Crown Prince of Cormyr in their full capacity. The party agreed, signing the charter that Lord Thistle had written. Lord Thond also signed the charter and Alusair asked that he assist the party in matters related to Cormyrian history, protocol, and culture. Lord Thond felt flashes of his old self returning and energetically signed the charter hoping that whatever fog had entered his mind in the Marsh of Tun would clear. Finally, the party was formally invited to the Gesture of Fealty, an annual feast held by the Lord Partic Thistle to acknowledge the great contributions that chartered adventuring groups had made.

Lord Thond welcomed the party into his dusty and vacant castle estate in the gardens of Suzail. The party spoke with Lord Thond about the recent Cormyrian troubles and then prepared for the great feast. Night had fallen and the party entered with Lord Thond into a large courtly chamber where many adventurers, nobles, and politicians mingled and basked in the luxurious accommodations. Tulgar was approached by a strongly built Cormyrian adventurer, Svlauf the Splitter of the Bloodaxes and was told of the rising numbers of orcs in the mountains. Equally troubling, Svlauf explained was the Black Raven barbarian tribe whom were amassing power quite rapidly. Julian managed to save the gregarious Ruben Arman St. James II of the Golden Gauntlets from the unimpressed anger of Pahelhe Firecaster, a She-Wolf adventurer. In addition, the party met and with Lord Filfar Woodbrand of Waymoot who shared tales of adventure in between gulps of mead and arms wrestling. The feast began in the court's great hall and the party was seated next to the rude Emerald Swords adventuring party. After the meal the Royal Court began to call adventurers forward in the annual gesture of fealty before the young Crown Prince Azoun V. A number of adventuring parties showed their disapproval for the Royalists by leaving after the meal. Pinehill's adventurers were then called forth and Mendryll Belarod, the herald of Suzail told a grand tale of their deeds in Zazesspur. More formalities followed the party's acknowledgement by the royal family until suddenly, all hell broke loose in the court!

Cormyr Torn

Session 120

Characters: Julian, Balin, Randal, Grim, Cael, Anthony, Davvin.

NPCs: 4 Court Lawyers of Tethyr: Abd-Creon (Treasury), Abd-Gyes (Land Titles), Abd-Doran (Roads), Abd-Oneus (Environment), 2 Court Architects of Tethyr: Valandil Culnamo (Elf), Dram Hargranar (Dwarf), Lionar Dakalbel: War Wizard of the Cleansing Flame, Lord Giorgi Wyvernspur: Purple Dragon Oversword (Wheloon).

5 Mirtul 1374 - 6 Mirtul 1374

3250 XP

The party had finished their Spring Festival celebrations and said their goodbyes to Porta Elvasious. Through Grim's magic, the party Teleported to Tethyr's new capital city, Darromar. In Darromar they announced their intentions to speak with the court lawyers and architects. Seeing as it was necessary to appear in Darromar's court wearing formal aristrocrtic attire, the party was fitted as they waited. Dressed in their new regal clothing, the party met with the court lawyers of Tethyr as well as architects Valandil Culnamo and Dram Hargranar. Culnamo and Hargranar showed Randal, Julian, Anthony, and Davvin the initial layouts for their new strongholds. Meanwhile, Balin enacted his land rights and paid the court treasury a sum of 150,000 crowns for additional land within the Wealdath Woods. After hours of discussion and planning, the party had made the final arrangements for the new constructions to begin and left the court as landed Knights of Tethyr.

The party would then set out on their next great journey to find adventure, fortune, and glory in the Forest Kingdom of Cormyr. With Anthony's help Grim successfully Teleported the party to Calantar Keep, the official home of the Knights of the Cleansing Flame. Standing in front of Calantar Keep for the first time the party noted that it was a tall, squared fortress built around a large bridge that joined the northern and southern shores of the Starwater River. Calantar Keep's gates were shut as if in preparation for an assault, and a number of soldiers could be seen from their points on the battlements above. The party announced themselves as the adventurers of Pinehill and then flew up to the top of the tower to join the busy Purple Dragon Knights. Then as the party looked out from the tower's top they saw the reason for the hasty battle preparations. A human force numbering in the thousands waited on the northern hills beyond Calantar Keep. To the party's surprise this was no foreign army. Instead it was comprised of many of Cormyr's own Purple Dragon Knights, War Wizards, Hippogriff Calvary, and local militias. The entire force wore red over their usual purple and was being led by one of Cormyr's finest Purple Dragon Marshals, Oversword Giorgi Wyvernspur, Lord of Wheloon. The party also took note that accompanying the standard military forces waiting outside Calantar Keep's northern border was the large professional mercenary company known as the Red Ravens, led by Rhinanna Rosehelm.

Clearly, much had changed since Anthony had left Cormyr to adventure in the lands far west and south. The party spoke with the local Knights of the Cleansing Flame who told them of their explicit orders from the Royal Court of Suzail not to allow any military force to pass over Calantar Bridge. Constal Anthony Manton would take his first action as a Cormyrian commander as the party went out into the northern force to speak with the rebel leader Giorgi Wyvernspur. After a thorough examination by a number of rebel War Wizards, the party was allowed to enter into Oversword Wyvernspur's purple command tent, which already had been altered by having red stripes sewn into it. Wyvernspur knew of the Pinehill's adventurers and was not surprised by Anthony Manton's new presence. During their discussion the party learned that Wyvernspur was more than a simple rebel. He was acting in consort with a number of other powerful lords of Cormyr's Court to enact an official Parliament and force the Obarskyr royal line to step down as rulers of Cormyr. Wyvernspur described Cormyr's desperate situation, the rising attacks by orcish and barbarian tribes, infiltration, pirating, its weakening economy, and the failing relations with its rich neighbor Sembia. At least in Wyvernspur's mind, there was only one possibility to save Cormyr, and that would be to replace the incompetent Obarskyrs with a Parliament fit to rule the territory more consistently and intelligently.

The party left the command tent in confusion, for certainly many of Cormyr's recent troubles were threatening to bring a complete collapse of the country. On the other hand, even though Giorgi Wyvernspur seemed genuine and truthful in their talk was it possible more was at stake for the Parliamentarian lords? Furthermore, was a Parliament the true solution to this matter? The party discussed these matters more intensely in Calantar Keep's mess hall over a bland meal of blackbread and farmer's cheese. During their meal, the party was approached by Lionar Dakalbel, a War Wizard of the Cleansing Flame stationed at Calantar Keep. He had been Teleporting regularly to the Court of Suzail to relay messages and detailed information. Lionar Dakalbel described to the party that Wyvernspur had been correct about some of the royals not attending recent important councils in Suzail. However, he said that in recent times a number of the lords have not followed the orders of the Steel Regent and as such none of her plans have been successful. Unlike her father Azoun IV, Regent Alusair Obarskyr lacked the favor of the court lords and in the desperate time was receiving little help. As civil war threatens to break out all over Cormyr the scattered orc and barbarian tribes continue to rise in number.

New and Old Friends

Session 119

Characters: Julian, Balin, Anthony, Grim, Cael, Randal.

NPCs: Orten: Mosstone Druid (Bear), Milisandria Mosstone Druid (Hawk), Connyal: Mosstone Druid (Fox), Valandis: Wood Elf Druid, Matwau: Slyth earth node guardian, Cruroar Trannyth: Half-elven Mayor, Knights of the Cleansing Flame (Tyr).

2 Mirtul 1374 - 5 Mirtul 1374

3425 XP

Balin had decided to investigate the collapsed series of caverns more thoroughly. Shifting into a huge Earth Elemental, Balin began to carefully excavate the collapse while his Mosstone allies shaped the remaining stone with their druidic magic. After hours of painstaking work, they had cleared away the blockage and fortified the remaining stone. The first trickles of water from the river valley now flowed down the smooth stone cavern floor after centuries of being blocked. To the druid's surprise however, they found the caverns further down to be humid, with plentiful Ripplebark growing against the dewy stone walls. The druids traveled further still down into the Upperdark and estimated themselves to be almost below the grove of Myth Drevanna nearly 500 feet above. Finally, they reached a landing looking out into a significantly large underground lake. They determined that the purity of this aquifer could only be explained if it was the result of water from the flooded river valley above filtering down through the limestone. Numerous submerged and dry tunnels fed away from this aquifer, and the druids followed each of them down further. Along one they began to see signs that a medium sized creature had recently traveled through. Cave Moss grew from the foot print as if it had been planted intentionally.

Later, the party of druids heard scraping sounds coming from the caves ahead. They softly moved forward and spotted a hunched figure before it leapt and melded into the adjacent stone wall. Confused, and worried about the potential for still more creatures to inhabit this place the druids continued to search. The mysterious figure however, had found them instead. The druids were suddenly surrounded by 3 grey cloaked figures wielding strange yellowish curved blades. Their bodies shifted between a stone and liquid consistency, and their black eyes glared with the intent of battle. Balin called out that they were here not to fight and had recently killed Halberdisfinna the terrible dragon. Surprised by this news, the Slyth guardian party put down their yellow blades and greeted the druids as friends. Matwau, the Slyth guardian chieftain told the party that their people were the guardians of a sacred earth node that was intimately connected with Myth Drevanna. Since its corruption the Slyths could no longer protect the node and instead guarded the wider area surrounding it. Upon hearing that Balin had been responsible for destroying the dragon and freeing the earth node, they pledged their fervent allegiance to his cause. The party stayed with the other Slyths for a late meal to feast upon the good news.

Balin and the Mosstone druids were then led through a series of secret earthy passages directly beneath the grove of Myth Drevanna. There, the guardians and the druids set eyes on one of natures greatest sights. Millions of years prior a massive meteor had collided with Toril forming the sunken Wealdath Valley. The heart of the meteor composed of tons of Star Metal, impacted deep into the crust and sent waves of powerful magic into the earth. When the ancient fey creatures discovered the earth mound they created fey pathways that infused the developing forest with their magic. Still later in the grove's history the ancient elven houses had discovered it and transformed it into Myth Drevanna. The druids left the underground tunnels and rejoined with the other adventurers. With the grove of Myth Drevanna in safe hands, it was decided that the party would Teleport back to Porta Elvasious.

Through Grim's powerful spellcasting, the party arrived within Porta Elvasious' torn down southern wall. Anthony Manton met with his Cleansing Flame captains whom informed him that the town's citizenry had settled down since the attacks days prior had come to an end. Many of the knightly orders were becoming stir crazy with anticipation of the tournament beginning and had constructed a makeshift jousting arena at the eastern edge of town. Julian immediately called for Mayor Cruroar Trannyth. In their brief meeting Julian informed Cruroar of the Halberdisfinna's vile presence and how they were able to slay her. The mayor thanked Julian for his heroism and informed him of new architectural plans to re-build Porta Elvasious better than it had ever been. Julian agreed to finance the construction and went out to tell the citizens.

Julian and the rest of the party addressed the populous and were met with many cheers of joy. Then, Lord Bailer ordered that the Porta Elvasious Tournament begin after a day’s preparation. The people of Porta Elvasious bustled with excitement as they made preparations throughout the night and next day. Then on the 4th of Mirtul, 4 days late of the Greengrass festivities around Faerun the games began. Axeman events including the fore-chop, cross-cutting, underhand chopping, block chops, log throwing, yolk dragging, the stone press, and axe throwing drew skilled woodsman from far beyond Tethyr. Knightly events held included jousting "au Plaisance", breakwood jousting, the grand melee, and a traditional elven bow circle. Large crowds gathered to watch racers in the great chase event track down and catch a Tressym with nothing other than their hands. The day long festivities ended with the final Joust where Anthony Manton's own Knights of the Cleansing Flame Champion was awarded first place to the chagrin of many Tethyrian knightly orders. After the competition Grim put on a wondrous display of magic as he reenacted the slaying of Halberdisfinna with Major Images, Fireballs, Pyrotecnics, and a variety of other flashy spells. The party stayed in Porta Elvasious for one more day recovering from the long celebrations and festivities and is ready again to set out for adventure.

Echos of the Flooded Forest

Session 118

Characters: Julian, Balin, Cael, Grim, Randal, Terus, Davvin.

NPCs: Hallberdisfinna, Orten: Mosstone Druid (Bear), Milisandria Mosstone Druid (Hawk), Connyal: Mosstone Druid (Fox), Fhina: Pixie path watcher, Valandis: Wood Elf Druid.

L 1 Mirtul 1374 - 2 Mirtul 1374

11,500 XP

Within moments of Grim's Sending for help, the rest of the party swam forward through the dark waters and met back with him. Just before Julian and Terus would rush in to hastily attack the healing Dragon inside, they took note of the Antimagic field and stopped just in time. Randal began to pray to Illmater for help and bled perfusely into the surrounding swamp water. He then touched his fellow adventurers with his Stigmata and they healed despite being in the presence of the Corrupted Myth Drevanna. Seeing the party suddenly starting to heal within her evil domain, Hallberdisfinna lept from the Antimagic zone and engulfed the party with a terrible corrosive gas. Cael pushed his way through the cloud of acidic gas and struck the dragon with Calinus Brumalis. With a final icy blast of arcane energy from his Mageblade, Cael had slain Hallberdisfinna. A fog of plant-matter filled the water as the former terrible dragon dissolved into nothingness. Balin charged at the party from the dragon's inner sanctum and questioned them on why they would kill such a creature of nature. But after a few minutes time, Balin had regained his senses. The evil mistress of Myth Drevanna was dead.

Searching the dragon's lair, the party found but a meager amount of antiquated treasure, suitable for a much smaller creature. It seemed as if at some point long ago Hallberdisfinna had halted the one compulsion all true dragons share, collecting treasure. Perhaps her mysterious transformation as a Greenbound creature had something to do with this unusual mindset. With Terus' help, Balin and Julian Teleported back to where Valandis' uncounsious body still lay. Then they Teleported to Mosstone, where they called for the High Druids Orten, Milisandria, and Connyal. Despite the lateness of the hour, the three Green Ones quickly responded and were present in Treemeet. During the meeting Balin explained to the High Druids of the flooded river valley, Valandis' and his own Compulsion to follow the evil Hallberdisfinna, and the Corrupted Myth Drevanna. Julian implored the druids to return with them to Myth Drevanna and help return the forest to its natural state so that the people of the King's Road could continue to live in peace. The New Way druids saw great importance in assisting the tired adventurers. They also acknowledged the official Silvan Duel which Balin had won and anounced him the Druid of the northwestern Wealdath Wood. After more than an hour the party returned with the three High Druids and Valandis and joined up with their party members.

Meanwhile, the others including Cael, Grim, Davvin, and Randal were carefully searching through the great moss covered Standing Stones on top of the crescent mound. They noticed that the forest canopy was still furious with the party and would actively attack them if they left the safe confines of the mound. Grim found the Weave to be quite unusual and powerful and tracked its presence to a central point, the crescent-shaped altar in the center of the mound. The standing stones radiated little magic despite the massive potential Grim found in the Weave. It seemed that much if not all of this grove was slumbering, and yet there were still Corrupted magical essences they had fought against just hours prior.

When the part reunited, the Mosstone druids Shapeshifted the remaining party members into native fish of the Wealdath Woods. In their new forms the party easily swam amongst the deepest ruins on the forest floor studying the time-frozen remnants of this ancient elven society. During their exploration the party discovered numerous magical runes of great size carved into trees and stones by draconic claws. Grim noted that while these had the potential to Corrupt the Mythal and forest, the runes were too unique and complex to have been created by the dragon. Dragons are indeed arcanely inspired creatures, however even Grim could not perceive the meanings of these carvings. Clearly, there must have had some other source of inspiration. Eventually, the party came upon the incline of the river valley's edge and found a massive pile of stone rubble. Julian immediately recognized these as pieces of Porta Elvasious' southern wall and structures. After the Druids Shifted into Elder Water Elementals and began to disperse the rubble carefully along the forest floor. During the search the party found the near perfectly preserved remains of Anna: Julian’s former love, and his brother. Davvin examined the bodies and concluded that Julian's brother had died of a series of blunt traumas and that Anna's legs had been crushed under two large stones and then drown. Julian was greatly saddened by this news and took their bodies with him to the safe crescent shore.

Though Julian's search for his loved ones had ended, Balin and the Druids of Mosstone continued to search for the cause of this river basin's flooding. Through their keen sense of nature, they followed the river down into the valley, around the crescent mound, and into a collapsed series of sunken caves. Deep beneath the water line, these sunken caves were at one time the exit for the river valley's water supply. Through some great event the caverns had been collapsed and now all that remained was a large lake. Balin and the Druids agreed that disturbing the stones to the underdark in these caverns would cause a massive blast of water which could severely damage both whatever was beyond the stones, and the river valley itself. Instead this would take a gradual, delicate process to dry the valley, return the river's flow, and hopefully destroy the Corruptive markings adorning many of the large trees and ruins. As they moved through the old woods of Myth Drevanna, Valandis began to respond to the occasional question. Perhaps he was still curious himself of this Mythal's former nature, or perhaps he was slipping out of his former mindset as well.

Mistress of the Old Woods

Session 117

Characters: Julian, Balin, Anthony, Grim.

NPCs: Hallberdisfinna: Great Wyrm Green Dragon (Greenbound).

L 1 Mirtul 1374 - L 1 Mirtul 1374

0 XP

With more sounds of suffering coming from deeper in the forest grove, the party pushed onward with haste. Soon the canopy above them began to be stripped of its leaves as winds increased to almost 50 miles per hour. Plant debris filled the air and blocked their sight to less than 15 feet in all directions. The new ground they traveled on seemed increasingly wet and sloped downward; they were entering a large river valley. Then the party hit a large body of cold, green water and noticed that this river valley must have been near completely flooded. Only the tops of the tallest trees rose above the windy water; in them structures of ancient elven-make signaled they were within the enclave of Myth Drevanna. The three lone adventurers Julian, Anthony, and Grim gathered at the waters edge to search for clues.

Suddenly, the powerful winds brought with them a blast of corrosive gas. The three adventurers staggered away from the green shore and panicked. Seconds later another blast of corrosive gas blew with the winds and continued to eat away at their flesh. Grim and Julian struggled to find a source of this through the flying plant debris. Regardless, all three were nearly dead from their sudden wounds and so Grim recalled the party back to his personal Demiplane. There they waited in a healing glow for nearly 9 minutes, pondering their recent brush with death. Meanwhile, with a final strike of his oak staff, Balin crushed Valandis the Druid of Myth Drevanna into unconsciousness. Victorious, he set out deeper into the forest to find his comrades. Even with the violent winds and debris, Balin managed to easily track their previous movements in the boggy, water-logged ground. Balin descended down into the flooded river valley and at the water's edge noticed a great deal of turmoil in their tracks, and then the tracks stopped. Before he could ponder this evidence however, She had descended upon him with all Her might. Trapped, and under the threat of certain death, Balin had no choice but to submit.

Seemingly an eternity later, Julian, Grim, and Anthony returned to the outer edge of Myth Drevanna with many powerful protective spells cast upon them. They entered the rough green water and swam quickly between the near sunken canopies in the former glory of an elven mythal. As they moved deeper into Myth Drevanna all three noticed that a number of their preparative spells for battle had failed. Grim quickly deducted that these were all of the Abjuration school of magic. It seemed that the corrupted Myth Drevanna may at one time have been deeply linked to the school. As they advanced into the first section of the Mythal, the tree canopy came to life and began to batter the party with fury. Grim sustained a moderate injury and Shapeshifted into a Solar to resist the continuous attacks. As the party pressed deeper into the mythal with the trees constantly attacking, a third cloud of acidic gas hit the party. Julian sensed the presence of an intelligent mind within 100 feet of him to the northeast and the party rushed forward. Then, She descended.

The Great Wyrm leapt down from the tree canopy and bruised the party's flesh with a trunk-splitting roar. She was the largest dragon any had imagined, comparable to some small castles. Her dark green scales intertwined with vines, bark and thorns, and Her massive jaws dripped with a brownish ichor. From Her brief flight She clamped down on Anthony and smashed into the water. Anthony returned the damage with two incredible Smites and freed his arm from Her jaws. Julian attempted a dark and vile power upon Her, however his Avasculate did not hit with the same force he had expected. Additionally, Anthony and Grim had witnessed his Evil spell and became deeply concerned. Grim also struck the Great Dragon with bolts of sonic energy. Reeling back from the damage, She gazed back and Cursed Grim. Julian noticed however, that she had not casted the spell, merely directed it. Then, She ripped tenaciously into Anthony's body with her claws, fangs, spiked tail, and thorny hide and dived deep into the murky green waters. Julian sensed she was near and directed his comrads down to find her. Underwater, the terrible melee continued. Although the Great Dragon suffered heavy wounds She seemed to regenerate them back in the presence of the mythal. Anthony Smote Her again, and Grim directed more blasts of sonic energy, however all three had suffered near fatal wounds and were again at Kelemvor's doorstep.

With a final blow from the Sword of Cosmas, for an instant Anthony thought he had slain the Great Dragon. However, Grim had seen the magical effect and knew a Contingency and Transport Via Plants had activated. She was elsewhere now, and with the party's grievous wounds and Teleportation abilities locked out by the mythal it was only a matter of time before the violent trees would kill them all. Without hesitation, Grim knew what must be done. He stopped time with his vast arcane abilities and quickly searched through the remaining time-frozen forest. There, in an underwater cavern filled with an aura of Antimagic, he saw the Great Dragon licking Her wounds. Standing alongside Her without movement was Balin, his lost friend and adventurer. The cavern was carved from the grove's central crescent-shaped mound, which rose from the waters and was topped with colossal Druidic Stones. Grim knew there was little time and Sent for the party's help through the Weave.

Finding Myth Drevanna

Session 116

Characters: Julian, Balin, Anthony, Grim, Terus, Cael, Davvin.

NPCs: Orten: Mosstone Druid (Bear), Milisandria Mosstone Druid (Hawk), Connyal: Mosstone Druid (Fox), Fhina: Pixie path watcher, Valandis: Wood Elf Druid.

E 1 Mirtul 1374 - L 1 Mirtul 1374

1450 XP

The party gathered early in the morning as the sun rose above the eastern King's Road. With Balin and Julian's help Grim was able to Teleport the party directly to the Druidic trade town of Mosstone. They now stood at the base of a great earth mound; large standing stones rose out of the hill like the teeth of a colossal beast. The party left the central clearing and moved into Mosstone's trade streets enclosed by massive trees. Merchants of many guilds had set up shops along the forest floor. The party searched for Mosstone officials and within no time met with Orten, a strongly built human dressed in the traditional green robes of a Mosstone Silvanus druid. They told Orten of the assault on Porta Elvasious and the rumors of Myth Drevanna's "awakening". Orten then led the party to Treemeet, a great hall for the Mosstone Druids built from the intertwined bodies of Weldath's 5 oldest trees. The party waited within Treemeet, while various woodland creatures curiously examined their presence. Finally, they met with the High Druids Milisandria and Connyal.

During their meeting the party again explained the events concerning Porta Elvasious, the Old Way believers, and Myth Drevanna. Milisandria strongly agreed that the clash between the Old and New Ways must be resolved. In addition, she explained to them of the former Mosstone druid Valandis. He had been sent by the New Order years ago to seek out the odd changes in the forest to the northwest. He was rumored to have found the ancient Myth Drevanna and has never returned. Balin promised that he would go with the party to the ancient Mythal and seek out Valandis to both determine if he had any link to the attacks of Porta Elvasious and find a resolution to the recent clashes between the Old and New Ways. With blessings from Orten, Milisandria and Connyal the party then left Mosstone and searched for a Fey Road to lead them into Myth Drevanna.

With Balin's expertise, the party walked efficiently north through the Weldath Woods and found a small stream with hints of Fey magic in the reflections. Following this stream west, it widened and met with a 25 foot forest cliff-side forming a small waterfall. At the base of this waterfall Balin again found Fey magic and knew that in order to enter the Fey road they must leap off the cliff-side headfirst through the shallow stream waters below. Upon hearing this risky act Julian volunteered his services and jumped off the cliff before Balin could properly direct him. However, instead of slipping into the Fey Road, Julian crashed headfirst into the stones below. After a hearty laugh from his comrades, Julian climbed to the top and Balin leapt down. Instantly, Balin found himself within a mirrored extradimentional space looking up through the stream at his fellow adventurers. The rest of the party leapt one by one, and with Balin's help they slipped down into the Fey Road safely. To the suprise of Balin, the Fey Road to the north and south directions was pinched off. After a few minutes examining the Road for exits they found a small Pixie named Fhina hiding in a mirrored pocket. The party made bold attempts at first to spark her interest with tall tales, and offerings, however it was not long before they noticed she was in distress. The Fey Road became darker and more cramped, Balin knew this as a reflection of her psyche, and so attempted to console her. Fhina told the party that the other Fey Roads had been broken by some unknown force, and her dear friends were lost. She had closed off her segment before her fate would become theirs. The party promised Fhina that they would stop whomever had destroyed the Sylvan veins through Weldath and left the Fey Road through the stream above.

The adventurers now agreed that they must find Myth Drevanna with haste. Grim Greater Teleported the party to the closest known location of the ancient mythal. Although they were only within a few miles of the mythal they knew that actually finding it would be a time consuming a difficult task. Balin and Terus led the party with their tracking expertise and soon it was becoming increasingly difficult to travel. They began noticing themselves traveling in circles, seeing the same trees and rocks over and over. They pushed on and later the ground and terrain seemed to be moving asynchronously, had they been drinking? The hallucinations intensified as the party continued to focus on their precious land markers. However, a disagreement broke out between two sides of the party on whether they had already crossed a small stone bridge or not. The argument was settled and they decided to cross the bridge. Balin and Terus led them and as they reached its apex felt as if the wind had picked up greatly. Then all at once they crashed into the ground below, they had been falling. Some at the top managed to avoid this devastating fall by fighting off the powerful hallucination. After a while of searching, the party had reunited on the forest floor below and stared up at the great hallucinatory cliff-side.

They continued walking and found that their legs were sticking more in the ground, their feet snagging on roots almost continuously. Massive leaves from the old trees around blew in the shifting winds and obscured their vision. Then through his keen senses, Balin saw a small green bird gently perched on a tree branch in the harsh winds, Valandis. The Druids met, speaking in a foreign tongue as the party looked on. Valandis refused to acknowledge the power of the Mosstone Druids and renounced the New Way to Balin, it had failed him. Balin attempted to reason with Valandis, particularly to get him to control the forest to cease its attack on the King's Road. Valandis refused, and so Balin challenged him to a Sylvan Duel for the grove of Myth Drevanna and jurisdiction over the northwestern Weldath Woods. The terms were given: A melee combat until death, using only oaken staffs of equal make. Combat was joined. The elven druids battered each other furiously as the cracks of their oak staffs resounded through the awakened forest.

Meanwhile, the rest of the party heard strange sounds of crying and screaming from deeper in the druidic grove. Valandis was not the only enemy present. They moved carefully forward as the violent forest floor resisted against their movement. Then, under a large tree, the party saw the glint of a dead pixie's wings spattered against its roots. The party advanced now at a faster pace, still hearing the fey screams of terror. Suddenly, the forest's resistance culminated as Cael was dragged down, entangled by a great tree's roots. Vines and branches attempted to Entangle the rest of the party, however they were able to escape. As Cael continued to struggle, the party was blasted by a hail of thorns on all sides. Though heavily damaged, Davvin rescued Cael from the Entangling roots and the party scattered. Anthony Manton attempted to Heal the party's biting wounds however his spell instantly failed. Those among the party, whom could perceive magic, saw a horrifying and twisted Weave all around them in the forest. They now were within the wooded halls of the corrupted Myth Drevanna, and their presence was most unwelcome.

Paths of Nature: Old and New

Session 115

Characters: Julian, Balin, Grim, Anthony.

NPCs: Animated Trees, Selthens Silverbark: Paragon Treant of Silvanus, 2 Greenbound Direbears, 6 colossal Plant Hordes, Father Bailer, Mother Bailer, Brother Bailer, Count Samrite: Human Aristocrat, Cruroar Trannyth: Half-elven Mayor, Knights of the Tempered Sheild (Torm), Knights of the Cleansing Flame (Tyr).

30 Tarsakh 1374 - 1 Mirtul 1374

2300 XP

With Grim's help, the party had safely arrived back on Ferun in Julian Bailer's hometown of Porta Elvasious. They stood in complete shock within the southwestern city as a colossal Horde of Plants smashed into the southern wall. It seemed as if sometime recently the Wealdath Woods had grown northward at an incredible pace directly through the well-established human and elven logging camps. Porta Elvasious guards were shouting from the battlments to retreat over stentorian blasts of wood on stone, and the roars and cries of frenzied beasts of nature. A number of the city's southern most trees had become Awakened by the calls of the war-marching Treants and were smashing buildings from the streets. Balin stood in shock as all around him it seemed the Maul of Silvanus was upon Porta Elvasious. He called out to halt the warring trees and plants as the colossal Horde broke down more of the walls. Just seconds later, a great rumble came as the southwestern gate of the large town was splintered to pieces. Stepping forth and smashing down the central wall was a great Silver Treant whose shining bark was adorned in green and golden holy runes of the Forest Father. At his side were two Huge Greenbound Direbears, their bodies prodruding with vines and thorns.

Balin addressed the ancient tree to stop and state why was it that Silvanus willed Porta Elvasious to be destroyed. The Selthens Silverbark spoke saying that they had tried the new ways of teaching and living with the humanoids, yet they still were being overharvested and exploited. The new ways of Silvanus had failed and the old way of Nature's Power must return for the forest to be saved. Balin strongly disagreed with the Old Treant Selthens and challenged him to a Silvan Duel where the victor would decide whether the Old or New way would be followed. The Selthens Silverbark agreed and immediately with a great groan the colossal Plant Hordes receeded forming a great Circle of Challenge outside Porta Elvasious' wrecked southern wall. Balin stepped in to face the massive Treant, and battle was joined. Silverbark moved expeditiously and smashed into Balin with an unbelievable strength. Balin attempted to return the blows in melee but could not penetrate Selthens' magical hide. Balin Shapechanged into a Red Dragon and flew above Selthens blasting him with fire. Selthens' then Dispelled Balin's new form as he crashed to the ground. Balin took flight again and brought a mighty fall of boulders down upon the Great Tree. However, Selthen's used the boulders to knock Balin out of the air and was again upon him in melee. Balin's Flamestrike attempts could not keep pace with the Treant's regenerative healing, and after a long minute of equally matched combat, Selthens outlasted Balin and struck him into uncounciousness. Victorious, Selthens declared that Silvanus willed the Old Ways to be followed with a uproar of plants and beasts.

Anthony spared no time after Balin fell, for he used his new Boots of Tactics to Dimension Door the helpless Druid to the safety of Porta Elvasious. Grim threw down a mighty Meteor Storm upon Selthens and his marching Plant Hordes killing the two great Greenbound Direbears. Selthens charged forward at an unmatchable speed trampling all but Julian whose Blinking Ring saved him. Slashing furously at Grim, Silverbark nearly killed him if it was not for Grim's fateful Word of Recall. Now Anthony and Julian were the only heroes whom remained. They entered a bloody melee with the heavily wounded Silverbark and were able to detroy him before he could heal his grevious injuries. Upon the death of Selthens Silverbark, the colossal Plant Hordes pulled away and headed back to the Wealdath Woods, carrying with them large pieces of the stone walls and buildings they had smashed down. Porta Elvasious Guardsman and Knights of the Tempered Sheild lay scattared on their swaying branches, and smashed under their heavy roots.

In the wake of the battle, Julian immediately Flew to the Bailer Ranch in the eastern farming community of Porta Elvasious. The fields looked as though they had been abandoned and overgrown for years. Julian's keen eye for magic however, led him to believe this had also been the recent work of a Druid of the Old Way. The Bailer farmhouse was empty and there were sings of a very recent departure. Julian then headed back to Porta Elvasious and arrived at his brother Hennith Bailer's armorsmith shop. There, he took down the powerful magical spells which continually had cloaked him for so long, and knocked at the door. His father Leon Bailer answered and there was a great greeting as Julian saw for the first time in nearly three years, the faces of his family. Julian could not resist any longer and expelled the glorious titles and treatures he had recieved in his adventures. Though his father a stern man and his mother greatly concerned for the future, both were extreamly overjoyed. Then they spoke to Julian of his missing brother, a Knight of the Tempered Shield, his brother's new fiance Anna Leymansen. Julian was both heartbroken at the news that his brother was lost and that Anna had been carried away by the army of plants, and also upon hearing that Anna had chosen his brother rather than him. Julian hastlily promised that all would be well and left immediately to find the former master of the land, Count Samrite, and Mayor Cruroar Trannyth.

Meanwhile, Anthony revived Balin, and Grim was able to find his way back to Ferun and Porta Elvasious with come creative spellcasting. He also made a direct Sending to his Captains in the Cleansing Flame telling them to report with all their men from Zaz immediately to Porta Elvasious. Grim used one of his magical wands to reconstruct some of the remaining stone rubble into a lower wall again. Anthony moved with haste toward the Mayer's estate to determine the truth of the claims made against Porta Elvasious, and also to annouce Julian Bailer as the new landlord of Porta Elvasious and the Middle King's Road. Anthony found the disgruntled Count Samrite's testimony truthful in that the people of Porta Elvasious had not been over harvesting any more than they had been for the past hundred years or so. Additionally, there was no evidence of ackowledgement of a verbal warning by the Silvan defenders. Upon learning that Julian Bailer was the mysterious new local Lord, the Count became quite unhelpful. Julian arrived shortly after along with Grim and entered the discussion of Porta Evlasious' current state. Count Samrite refused to be held accountable for what he claimed was both two months of negligence on Julian's behalf and unprovoked attacks by the Silvan Defenders. Julian argued that these affairs were still in Samrite's duty to have managed and assured the Mayor Trannyth that the individuals behind this would be brough down harshly. With that the angry and disempowered Count Samrite vowed to exact a brutal Tax War upon the Middle King's Road and Porta Elvasious and left on horseback under the protection of a number of Royal Knights of Tethyr.

Balin did not attend the meeting with Count Samrite and Mayor Trannyth; there were sacred matters to attend to. He gathered the charred ashes of Selthens Silverbark and moved into the Wealdath Woods. The outlying trees looked undamaged and deeply rooted. Upon dicussion, Balin found the young outlying trees to be quite friendly and supportive. Having much contact with humanoids they had grown accustomed to the teachings of the New Way. They spoke of rumors that deep within the Wealdath Woods the ancient elven mythal Myth Drevanna had awakened, concious of its own existance. They spoke of a great druid of Silvanus that was sent by the New Way followers of Mosstone to investigate the awakened Mythal whom had not returned. Balin dug a deep trench in the woodland soil, buried half of Selthens' remains, and said a short prayer of remembrance for the Old Treant. Deeper into the woods Balin continued to search for answers, but found the plants to be much less agreeable. These old grown, hearty plants followed the teachings of the Old Way and refused to speak to Balin concerning why Porta Elvasious was under attack. Concerned, and tired, Balin headed back north toward Porta Elvasious to inform his fellow adventurers of the rumors.

Drawing from his experience with the formerly endangered citizens of Zazesspur, Julian called a town meeting in the central Joust grounds. On the main stand sat Julian, the Bailer family, the Mayor and clerks of Porta Elvasious, and the rest of the adventuring party. Julian accounced himself as the new Lord of Porta Elvasious and the surrounding Middle King's Road. Then, he asssured the people that he and his adventurers would bring a quick stop to the recent attacks to the southern city and surrounding farmland. It had been mere hours since Anthony called for the Cleansing Flame, however suddenly, Windwalking down from the clouds came his dedicated Cormyrian Knights. Armed in shining platemail and brandishing great purple flags the Cleansing Flame Knights surrounded the Jousting Arena. Anthony stated that their presence would be to safeguard the city from further attacks and told his men to adjust their spells and arsenals to fight Plants as appropriate. Balin then instructed the populus of the rumors concerning the deep Wealdath Woods and the awakened Myth Drevanna. The party had decided to wait until morning to venture on to Mosstone, and figure out where this whole mess may had started.