Session 29 "Down" Report

General Summary

....as the Raven's Alliance recover their wits they pull their battered bodies from the mud and muck and follow in pursuit of the Jotun giving chase to the Shadow Hunters. As they give chase a large wagon is driven at breakneck speed past them towards the small lake they had found the child at. As Gunthar looks to see if Isaac and Lillyanna are up, he is confronted by the pursuing Jotun. One steps forth and depends to know who they are as the others behind them stand wary. Gunthar quickly explains that they were assisting and what their mission is as Sordrin joins him. Hearing the mention of Faribyr and Gashak the clanmaster sheaths his monstrous sword and extends a hand to Gunthar introducing himself. He offers aid to them as he sees they are wounded as the other Jotun make towards town to assist with the fires blazing. One of the Jotun offers to carry Lillyanna's unconscious form. The other's quickly fall in line behind the clanmaster and traverse the town. He takes them to the inn and ensures that they have rooms while they recover as he is joined by his wife, Variskali's healer. She quickly checks the party over assessing their wounds, applying a silvery ointment to much of their burns and then using divine magics to tend to the more grievous wounds. They soon discover from the clanmaster that they town hall had been sacked with the cultists searching for what he overheard as sacred text. When prompted he explains the only one he is aware of his wife's religious book. The party asks to borrow it which he concedes and agrees to bring it the next day. The Raven's Alliance continue to rest with Slinger watching over Lillyanna and Sordrin on constant watch. The next morning as storm clouds loom the Raven's Alliance is treated to a fine country breakfast that is served buffet style. The are soon joined by the clanmaster and his wife and find out that this is a daily occurrence due to it being a farming community. As the clanmaster's wife goes to check on Lillyanna, who has awoken, Isaac borrows the book and quickly pours over it's contents. Not finding much in the way of useful information he does find interesting in text eluding to a great calamity that is said to befall Eleril should Shanika return. Isaac returns the book and thanks the clanmaster's wife. Later that evening as the party is grouped around Lillyanna, Isaac feels pain in his head and someone screaming his name. This alerts the Raven's Alliance to potential danger and they prepare. Not finding anything nearby the pain eventually subsides and the group returns to inn. Abel using a familiar trick alerts Lillyanna to her bag to which she takes her bowl out. Unhf alerts her that the night before three shadow hunters assaulted Faribyr and had cornerd Salisoria. Other then some wounds there is minimal loss, the most profound being the young dwarf Kuldak. As the party hears the news they prepare to quickly journey back not wasting time. Galloping into the night and the incoming snow storm they press southward only resting as much as necessary. The soon make Faribyr and discover it at a heightened state. They quickly enter and check on friends and loved ones. Gunthar discovers that Kuldak had died defending the door as Gashak ran to aid him. The young half-orc wounded in the fight. Slinger checked on the grove and found it quiet....only momentarily. Through one of the sacred trees Queen Cerrydwen, Cassion, and several heavily armed guards step through. The Queen herself dressed for battle. She soon holds council with Gashak and the others as they examine the bodies of the Shadow Hunters. Over the next several hours she councils Gashak and the Raven's Alliance on the past and the possible future. Gunthar storms out, angered that his wife and children's lives had been endangered. Ethinclaw confronts his cousin trying to calm him. Unable to do so divine intervention occurs in the form of Abacur in his full defender glory. Both dragonborn are blown back as time slows except for the three standing there. Abacur chastises Gunthar for his behaviour and gives warning before departing. The silver dragonborn flies into a rage and assaults a near tree letting all pent up aggression upon it's side. Soon tiring he sits and is consoled by his wife and cousin. They along with Sila and the twins return to the council hall. Sila speaks with the queen privately as the twins dogpile Lillyanna. Sila agrees to return with Cerrydwen at the queens pleasure. As clouds return over Eleril, the Raven's Alliance has many roads to choose. And the clouds grow darker.......