Session 47: Exploring the Valley

General Summary

A Cozy Night Underground

• And so the Crew stood before Lorend Hazelvale of the Enclave of the Valley. He welcomed each of them to the Valley of Labete, and asked each of them to introduce themselves. Upon N'nchyk's introduction, Lorend said that he sensed a unique air of repose about him, even identifying the symbiotic plant-creature growing upon his side.
• After the Crew told Lorend their story of the trade route journey with a detour in Dolurrh, he said he now understood why Aegothiaryss had given them his bid of friendship. They seemed worthy adventurers with stories for the ages. In fact, Lorend suggested they see Vuduin Crispwoods in the Chateau d’Loremaître, for perhaps he could scribe a story of their journey for them.
• But such was for a later time. The Crew sought information regarding Droaam and White Plume Mountain, and Lorend had information to offer. But Droaam was an enigma. They had even contemplated the matter in the Valley more than once.
• But it was much to discuss, and Lorend thought it prudent to call a council over the matter.
• And so, Sylgwyn led the Crew to their living quarters for the evening. They were cozy and extremely well-decorated with vases and paintings. Sylgwyn brought each of them a delicious evening meal of exotic plants and meats, and the Crew was happy to be somewhere safe and comfortable for a night.

The Council of Lorend

• The next morning, the Crew was escorted to Festin Hall. The scents and sounds were incredibly alluring. The inside was even more magnificent, with brilliant architecture and dozens of musicians creating masterfully interweaving tunes. Their company lay on the top balcony, where Lorend was flanked by two individuals: a beautiful female elf with light hair, and a lean male elf with neat clothing.
• Lorend warmly announced the arrival of the Crew, and the council began.
• Lorend first inquired as to the Crew's knowledge and business with Droaam. There was an unspoken argument, with Viribus insisting the Crew was merely seeking work in Droaam, but Ashpin and Dooturr chose to expand upon this. They spoke of the attacks in Sharn and that they were seeking a solution to the possibility of war between the Nation of Monsters and Breland.
• White Plume Mountain seemed an integral part of this, as it was rumored the be a Droaamic stronghold located in the midst of the Graywall Mountains.
• Lorend considered all of this carefully. He said the attacks on Sharn matched the brutality of what he expected from Droaam. They had previously attacked their camp aboveground, and destroyed much of their (albeit simple) infrastructure. But the senselessness of the attacks was quizzical. What could the purpose be in an attack against a city that seemed doomed to fail?
• The Valley had previously hosted a shifter named Kindle. He was a part of the King’s Dark Lanterns, the intelligence branch of the King’s Citadel. He was sent by Breland to act undercover to gather information about Droaam. He encountered and befriended some Soli on the way, learning of the Enclave.
  • Kindle’s account was interesting. He said despite what he had been told about the nation, he almost felt as if he belonged. He was provided adequate food and shelter in exchange for his labor. He also saw the first goblinoids for the first time in his life.
  • The ruling warlords and chibs were ruthless in their authority. Petty laws like thievery weren’t enforced, but anything that might cause a disunity or decrease in labor was punished by death.
  • The main thing that Kindle reported was a sense of unity. The creatures in Droaam were estranged from the rest of the world, and while violent, the Daughters of Sora Kell brought them together for a common purpose. Kindle sought counsel on what he should report to Breland, if at all. He felt at home in Droaam, but the country was openly hostile towards it, and there was no shortage of Droaamic citizens that felt the same towards Breland.
  • Lorend had asked what this united purpose was, but Kindle seemed confused by the question. Raising a nation in itself was a purpose. As Kindle had only lived in Droaam for a year, Lorend advised — if Kindle was comfortable — he return and try to discern any ulterior motives. And besides, it seemed Droaam was where his true desires lied anyway.
• There was a disagreement within the group as to what the best course of action was with Droaam. Some were of the mind that the nation was beyond redemption, as they were responsible for many deaths. Others, like Philip and Dooturr, said that peaceful negotiations were not just preferable, but possible. Lorend advised that it was of course quite the quandary, but would be better answered after learning more of the nation, and perhaps even its relation with Breland.
• The conversation shifted to White Plume Mountain. Lorend said they seek a dangerous path, only for the bravest. Some of the Enclave’s finest warriors once sought to explore the mountain and its contents, but never returned. It has always been a subject of superstitious awe to the Valley, as it is reputed to be the haunt of various demons and devils. The hag Sora Katra of the Daughters of Sora Kell found it to be a suitable place of habitation, and altered it to her needs.
• Three legendary items - Wave, Whelm, and Blackrazor - were stolen and brought to White Plume Moutain, described in a riddling message sent out by Sora Katra. Adventurers were invited in to try and recover the sentient items. The weapons are of legendary power, but are very picky and specific with who they attune to. But even if the Crew manages to do so and tries to keep the weapons, their former owners and other powerful creatures will likely seek them out.
• Lorend warned again of the potential dangers of the Mountain, but admitted it would contain valuables, including both treasure and information regarding Droaam.
• Lastly, but certainly not least, one of the last things they heard from their explorers entering the Mountain was that it was partitioned into different wings, each of which allowed only 4 to pass through. As such, the Crew would be well-advised to travel in a multiple of 4.
• The Enclave's finest scouts would find a way to the Mountain, and the Valley would be open to the Crew for rest in the meantime. Lorend even offered to work on The Crypt, if the Crew had any suggestions on what to modify.
• After the council, Lorend said to the Crew: “Today, you entered the Valley a friend of Aegothiaryss and a stranger to the Enclave. You will now leave this Council as a friend of both.” And with this, the council adjourned.

A Peaceful Exploration

• N'nchyk began his pet therapy with Lorend. He said to N'nchyk that this was quite the unique situation - the host creature dying, but then returning to life? The thorny would certainly have been lost had it not been for N'nchyk's efforts in preserving it. Lorend made conversation while he went to work. It was fascinating to see his mastery over nature, trimming dead weight from the plant while cultivating beneficial lichen. N'nchyk was soaked in a pool of the river water and sang to, both of which had quite obvious magical healing properties. It was a longing feeling for N'nchyk
• The boys then took a trip to the library. They were greeted by the grumbling Vuduin Crispwoods who said he had been tasked with creating a manuscript of their journey thus far. Viribus, Maleakos, and Philip agreed to return throughout the week to help complete the text.
• The boys purchased some cool books, including guides for gambling, summaries of Lamnia: The Twilight Forest, a study of Shifters: A People of Survival, The Magic of Haleth, and The History of Droaam: Untamed Barrens to a Unified Nation. The last of these was a manuscript Vuduin had long been working on, and completed with the first-hand account of Kindle.
• Maleakos and N'nchyk's yearning for lore was not quenched, so they went to Lorend's study for more.
• The next stop was the Vulcan Forge. It was manned by Eldrin, alongside a mad dwarf-like creature that shied away from the Crew's presence. The Forge was more jumbled than the other places in the Valley, but was littered with beautifully crafted weapons. There was one particular set of elven chain, painstakingly made to fit as closely as clothing, providing extra protection and allowing anybody to wear it.
• Eldrin said his active pursuing of his ancestor's warlike traditions were not exactly encouraged in the Valley. He still contributed to the upkeep of their society, but his true passions lie in developing masterful arts of weapons. Lumen took note of this, and asked to be taken under his tutelage in crafting arrows - it had been a hobby of his since his youth.
• Maleakos took in the variety of building materials around him and had a stroke of inspiration. He took a small hit of bud, and began working away. Seeing him at work, Eldrin offered him a small amount of Fairy Wings, a colorful powder used by the Enclave to expand one's creative capacities. Maleakos ignored N'nchyk's warnings of mixing substances and obliged.
• Maleakos stumbled out two hours later with The Device - a complex creation of unknown capabilities. Naturally, Maleakos switched it on, and realized it was an incredibly powered, randomly-colored, item-hiding laser pointer. Whatever a laser was.
• The next destination, as others had constantly mentioned it, was the Laboratoire. It was under the rest of the Valley, accessible by a slowly descending staircase. The stone steps were less worn than that of the upper catacombs. As they descended, they heard the trickling of the river over stone singing a song about the ancestry of the Enclave.
• At last, the steps curved inwards. They seemed to reach the end of the tunnel, but Sylgwyn laid her hand upon the stone, and it melted away. The tunnel ahead was strange, completely covered in a carpet-like substance that muffled any ambient sound, even that of their own footsteps. "Ahead is where we study la béte," explained Sylgwyn. The anticipation grew.

Missions/Quests Completed

• Maleakos obtained the Tinkerer half-feat

Character(s) interacted with

• Lorend Hazelvale 
• Vuduin Crispwoods 

Date begun:
4 Therendor, 998 YK
Date ended:
7 Therendor, 998 YK
Party level:
8

Report Date

03 Feb 2022

Primary Location

Enclave of the Valley