16.3.5.2 Traveling through the MIndspin Mountains

Expedition

We travel to the hamlet of Shinnerman's Fortune.
We travel to Sky Citadel of Janderhoff.
The Elves in the party travel back to Trunau and onwards to Celwynvian.
The Dwarf in the party Janderhoff.
The others visit a market and send letters off.
The party travels back to the Forge of Creation with an army.
The party travels south to the village.

Kuthona 12th-13th Zaxel creates a hallowed space near the Anvil, it takes a full 24 hours to create this sacred space. Brigh is pleased, so too is Minderhal. Half of the party remains at the Forge to help defend it.   The other half of us travel with Tarram Shinnerman, back to Shinnerman's Fortune to return him home and recruit the survivors to come work at the old mine and in the forge. Being as its a Tent city with only a handful of buildings yet.. still no Wall around the place. Its a simple matter to get people organized and move all 104 of the residents to the mines. Alot of cantrips are used to aid in the packing and sorting of things.. even the buildings are dismantled to rebuild outside of the fire mines.   Things are well enough in hand by nightfall that we decide to send Daemon back alone to the forge to bring a couple of the others back tomorrow to head on to Janderhoff while the rest remain to defend the Forge.   Those that remain guarding The Forge of Creation   They are to await word that we have recruited an army to defend the forge and then join us on the march south to the Village of Skalskdlaskd Celebrimbor, The Silverhanded weilder of Heartspit Furato, rider of Pengo slayer of Drakes. Grumog, the fire touched watcher Jooose, the watery owlbear wolverine Ingirhild Nargymkin, Teacher of the arts Thorne, Battle Herald of Iomadae Yamiel, Inquisitor of the stars Umlo Nargymkin, Master Chef We travel to Janderhoff on Kuthona 14th-19th Greg Thomas, Scout 2nd class of Not Magnimar leads a little under half of us west and north to Janderhoff. Adler Daemon Dredoc Giggety Varr'os Koldukar Zaxe Vo'Gart of the Nirmathas Rangers. Adler leads us almost straight North and West for 5 full Days over the mountains until we reach the Runtash River. Upon reaching the river we rested for the night and upon sunrise we created the magical rafts from assorted driftwood in the prayer to Erastil that E'Luna, ahhh Giggety taught us so many weeks ago when we got to the Minderhal Valley.   We sail downstream on the Runtash for four days until we reach Janderhoff, arriving at the Sky Citadel at midday on the 23rd of Kuthona. Outside the gates     Meeting with the Sihedron Council Mid Day 23 Kuthona Outside the gates to the Citadel a new construction had been raised. A patch of the mountain had been leveled to create a series of barracks and foretresses, the whole compound surrounded by wall. The construction was clearly done by the massive use of wall's of stone over a short period of time. Almost looks as though 10,000 troops have been mustered here. We notice humans, dwarves and boggards? all training and working together to defend the new fortress. It was clear at the get go that this fortress was not an invading army as all the siege weapons were pointed away from Janderhoff and a very large market was established midway between the gates of both Janderhoff and the Fortress.   Greg leads the party to the gates of the fortress where he is challenged by the sergeant of the watch. He than speaks with the Lieutenant of the Gate, who Orders Arms and has the gates opened. We enter with the soldiers of the Gate Saluting us. Greg leads us to what looks like a quad of Daern's Instant Fortress somehow joined together. Greg escorts us to a meeting chamber where we will meet with the Sidhedrom Council and discus our future plans.   We enter the chamber Giggety chooses to take her place on the floor in the darkest of the corners, Zaxel sits at the table, Daemon sits at the table, Varr'os grabs some berries from a sideboard, Giggety tells him that the berries are poison and hes going to get sick and die. Adler sits at the table. All of us take goblets of water from the decanters on the sideboard.   We are told that they council will be in to join us in a few moments and to relax and enjoy the refreshments. Varr'os points out the berries are infact Good Berries and very filling tasting of strumberries. Zaxel decides to create a Hero's Banquet. The banquet does not appear on the table but on the floor in the corner surrounding Giggety. who is angrily revealed in the floating lantern lights. Greg pokes his head into the chamber, notices the spells effects and lets the party know the Council will grant them an hours respite before the meeting begins. Zaxel offers to share the meal with the Council but as the spell is already in effect Greg declines on their behalf.   An hour passes.. ..the feast disapears leaving the Heroes of Trunau refreshed. Greg re-enters bearing a pile of maps and lodgers with him. He is accompanied by Princess Orlean Arabasti, Battle Herald of Imodae and Supreme Marshal of the Shidron Council. The human Ventrin follows her into the chamber armed with his twin blades of holy fire and holy ice he looks every inch the bodyguard. Next in line are a pair of Dwarves, both wearing full stoneplate armor, bearing waraxes on their backs, one with a spiked tower shield, the other bearing a highly polished velium tower shield. the fith member was the man with the golden skin armed with an assortment of pistols and revolvers about him.   The Negotiations were fairly straightforwards.   The princess offered to send a division of dwarven soldiers from Janderhoff to be dispatched to the Forge to secure it and defend the residents of Shinnnerman's Folly. She also wished to dispatch a Medical Brigade to assist Trunau in dealing with the new refugues.. and to create a safe corridor through the mindspin mountains.   We offered to allow them to use the Forge of Creation and protect the Small folk under our care. We granted them permission to enter the former Koldukar lands and aid in defending the residents.   It seems The Prime Abolith who is the commander of the Storm Tyrant we are tracking down to kill is also an enemy of the Council. If we can defeat one of the Abolith's generals it will make her task much much easier as they will not have to content with giant or orcish soldiers. The sheer number of Orbs of Dragonkind that he has access to is staggering in implication.. more then one of each color orb?   It will take four days for the troops to be mustered and start marching three thousand troops east in the dead of winter through the mountains into enemy territory.   During that time Daemon teleports himself and both Vo'Gart and Giggety back to Trunau.   In Trunau A Package to Gruunt and Heidi Certificate of Rank to Title of Kholdukar Heir Apparent to Heidi. Certificate of Rank to Title of Guardian of Kholdukar Heir to Gruut. 2000 Gold Coin’s + all the Duergar Copper Coins Deed to the Kholdukar Estates of Trunau in Heidi’s name Letter updating them on Varr’os Travels and new maps for the clan’s cartography studio   A missive to Council of Trunau A copy of the Heroes of Trunau Travel Journals A copy of the newest Kholdukar Cartographers maps, in triplicate. A copy of all relevant information we have recovered about Volstus the Storm Tyrant and The Prime Abolith and other threats within the Region A document from the Varr’os authorizing troops to muster on behalf of the Trunau Cartographers to aid in the defense and stability of the region on behalf of clan Kholdukar.   Speaking with Silvermane Most formal bow possible from Vo’gart to Silvermane. Arms crossed over chest, bows to the ground. Vo’gart signs It's good to see the sun still shines over the Thorn’s. Giggety signs, We failed, He died, The other leaves have all fallen. OverCaptain Primrose order the Charge early. Daemon looks confused.. First at Vo’garts Extreme Obeisance and then that they both understand the strange hand-signs That the moon elf Yamiel was attempting to teach the heroes on their journeys. The he speaks the magical incantation of comprehend language. Respectfully Vogart fills in Silvermane with the details of the failed assault. Giggety and Daemon fill in Silvermane with everything that has happened since they left Trunau to head west. Silvermane updates them all with whats happened in Trunau. And offers to open a the Gateway to Celwynvian so that they can notify his much younger sister what befell the strikeforce, and that Daemon may attune to the Starwell.       Travel to Celwynvian Silvermane opens the portal thru the standing stones and the four elves step though arriving at the Grove within the Outskirts of Celwynvian. It is guarded by a dozen rangers and hunters at the ready. The captain and giggety are Both greeted by name and title,Silvermane is greeted as Warden of Hope’s Spring, Daemon is asked to reveal his ears and heritage. They then are allowed to pass onward into town. Silvermane leads the four of them unerringly to the heart of Celwynvian the star pool. A pool that extends for 1000’ in all directions.. Even deep.   Vo’gart teaches Daemon a ritual that allows him to bind himself to the Star Pool which allows him in times of need to access the elvish racial memories.   They are then lead to the Library to met with Queen Telandia Edasseril bearer of the Viridian Crown, of the Elvish peoples of Golarian. The meeting is brief. She asks Vo’Gart for a report of the assault, he reports what Happened and how OverCaptain Nillis Greenburrow ordered the charge half a day early resulting in the Almost total loss of the strike force, he then explains how Giggety was the only actual survivor and how Daemon Selflessly choose to bring Vo’Gart back from the dead. Tears run down Telandia’s cheeks at the loss of her people.   Each name repeated brings another tear from her eyes, unseen servants collect her tears into a vial that glows with a pale inner light. The vial floats over to Daemons hands. “ Daemon Clarke of the silverleaf clan, I fear you will suffer more loss ahead, perhaps these Tears of Remembrance will allow you to stave off that loss. I am glad that you survived the trek into the wilds, my elder brother Silvermane has kept me apprised of your life in Trunau before the last siege. You are the last of your branch that is why we did not call upon your services a score and five summers ago in the war to reclaim Celwynvian here. The way home is always open for you, you have Simply to touch one of the Aiudara and visualize your destination.. Or convince a druid like my brother to open the Way from one Grove to another.”   Turning her warm Topaz eyes upon Giggety she says “Koiran Ulkomaalainen, I am sorry for the loss that Your branch has suffered, for what you had to endure. I have seen some of what you will face in the years ahead. Trials and tribulations that will shake your very foundation. This Mithril Knocking Point will allows all of your bow shots, to ignore all effects of the winds.” A small silver cylinder that is no bigger then a pinhead and engraved with the phrase “unhindered Flight.” floats across the chamber.   Looking at the two of them “Daemon y Koiran on behalf of the elven imperial army I thank you for your help to stabilize the old Kholukar lands, now known as Belzkin hold.. For dealing with the warchief Grensledek and the General Urathash and for both discovering the location of and reactivating the Forge of Creation please accept this Rank of Captaincy within the EIA. You will both be independent operatives, at some point i may have a task that Requires your particular skillsets. Train, survive, I will do what i can to find where Volstas is located.”   An Elven Dress Uniform floats across the chamber to the both of them.. Vo’gart remains behind to speak with the Queen separately.   Return to Janderhoff Silvermane walks with Daemon and Giggety to the Teleportation Circle so that daemon can learn the way. He Signs that he will keep the watch in Trunau and should they have need of his services send word. It is time to Regrow the council of Thorns. He is well pleased and proud of both of them for all that they have done. Silvermane congratulates the two of them one final time before Daemon speaks the words and Teleports himself and Giggety back to Janderhoff at the appointed time.   Meanwhile outside of Janderhoff Zaxel, Adler, Dredoc wander the marketplace and buildings outside of Janderhoff. Picking up an assortment of supplies for the party and sticking them into Throne's portable hole. Three days of trading and purchasing supplies, gathering information, planning ahead and prayer. Zaxel composes a letter to the High Clockmother Athenth Llanalir of Alkenstar, and the High Clockmother Dinvaya Lanalei of Scrapwall informing them that he and his companions have discovered the Forge of Creation that was used by Minderhal/Torag to create both the giant and the dwarven races. And that half of the anvil Has been hallowed in the name of Brigh. The Slag Giant Farrin is the Keeper of the Forge and not to be harmed. Assistance defending the Forge would be appreciated.   Dredoc performs for the crowds making a small pile of coins.   Adler walks about learning what he can with his keen perception.     Janderhoff Sky Citadel Varr'os heads into the Janderhoff Sky Citadel alone, as only dwarves are allowed within. Varr’os is challenged by the Gate Guards to the lower city. He presents his family axe and requests an escort to the crypts of Clan Kholdukar. The Captain of the Gate summons a runner to notify the Herald of the Igmargun Clan. Captain Varr’os is escorted by one of the Upper City patrol Captains to the herald, where Varr’os is asked under the Light of TruthCandle about his intentions, it has been generations since one of his clan has entered the Citadel.. Varr’os answers the questions. The herald agrees to open the Crypts and allow him to commune with his Ancestors.   Into the Crypts The Herald escorts Varr’os to the lift down to the lower city. It takes but a score of minutes to reach the Darklands. Down a long corridor they walk, flanked by a pair of paladins of Torag until they come to stone door with a bluish Silvery orb and an oversized keyhole. The herald pulls out a short sword hilt with a strangely designed blade that He then inserts into the keyhole. Varr’os removes his gauntlet, cutting his palm with the family axe his places it Palm down upon the orb blood flowing into grooves and minutely carved symbols. The hilt turns of its own accord As the ancient device is activated by the Kholdukar blood. The doorway opens and Varr’os steps inside the crypt. Placing his hand upon a second orb within the crypt itself.. The blood flows and again the doorway closes behind him.   The Paladins draw their Urgrosh’s and take up flanking positions on either side of the doorway, almost seeming to Meld into the stone. The Herald removes the blade and returns to the lift, heading to the chambers of High Councilor Nilis Igmargun, speaker of the Janderhoff Council.   Varr’os unscrews a section of his axe, pulling out his signet ring from within the hidden compartment he places it on Right middle finger and activates the magic contained within it. Walking from grave to grave Varr’os Communes with the Shades of his Ancestors asking for advice on what to do with the new knowledge he has gain about the link Between Torag and Minderhal. Again and again they ask if his serves Law or Chaos.. The answer is simple truth. Varr’os spends an hour each speaking with all 51 shades of his ancestors that are interred here.     Meeting with the Council of Janderhoff Varr’os returns to the herald and spends some time filling out and signing the forms He has prepared for the young Kholukdar heir to sign. Copies of the documents he has already sent on to Trunau. Other forms acknowledging discovery of a relic that predates all recorded dwarven history, the discovery of the forge of creation, that the dwarves were created upon the surface not deep underground as has been taught forever.   Varr’os is summoned before the Janderhoff Council to explain himself. Under the light of the Flames of Truth Varr’os speaks what he knows to the seven members of the Council and the two dwarves from the Sihedron Council, the High Defender of the Forge of Torag is also present for the meeting. Shock and awe course through those gathered. The truth of the words is unquestionable.. What to do is another matter. The High Defender is going to send Priests and Forge Techs, and reach out to Church of Kassandra in Numeria for what they know. The other two councils agree but suggest sending a second Brigade that would be mustered of only those who serve Law and Neutrality absolutely under the Kholdukar banner to aid in both Trunau and keeping the road open between the Forge and Trunau, answerable if need be to the Heroes of the Forge.     Victory of the Warchief Grask Uldeth In the planes west of the Southern Fangwood of Nirmathis two large armies clash in decisive battle. Along the banks of the Tourondel River two battles takes place between the 30th, 31st, 32nd, 33rd and 34th Legions of Chelax and the Bloodsplitter Orc Tribe. The 28th and 29th Legions each clashed with their own tribes the stonehewer and Empty Hand Tribe. Net result dead orcs under 100, dead human hellknights 14000. The Orcish Warchief Grask Uldeth has gained control over the First Marshal of Chelax’s Rod of Rulership.. Having lost next to no troops with the quad assaults, was granted first among equal standing of the war chiefs.   In Korvosa In the harbor a fleet of 50 Greatships escorted by a matching number of ironclad gunships arrive and began to disgorge twenty thousand soldiers and five thousand support units from Chelix to deal with the Orcish invasion force to the east. They come off as a victory parade celebrating the defeat of the orcish general to the east’s forces. To the conquered citizens of Korvosa it matters not if its a victory parade or an invasion. Chelix has already taken everything of value from the city in their reclamation taxes.. Tired and knowing if they dont cheer with enthusiasm the imps that fly in formation above the Hellknights may well choose to dine on them instead of orcs.. The citizenry cheer so loudly and enthusiastically that the Soldiers truly believe..or pretend to believe that the are welcomed.. As liberators of Korvosa, not as the ruthless conquers of an already defeated people that they are. A speech is given by the Lord Marshal of the Chelaxian legions 36-50, though nobody payed attention to it. Soldiers were too numerous,, the citizens too loudly cheering..     On the 27th of Kuthona we start our long journey back to the forge. Accompanied by both a Brigade and Division of soldiers. We make good time on the travel due to magical banners of swift travel. On the 9th of Abadius we arrive back at the Forge and rejoin the other Heroes of Trunau. We spend two nights at the Forge then start our journey almost due south to reach the Frost Giant Village of Skirgard.   On the 22nd of Abadius we arrive near where Skirgard is on our maps.