Chapter I, Part 1
23rd through the 27th of Spring, 117th Year
General Summary
The Road North
Spring 23-24, 117 YS
En route on the road north, the companions came across the aftermath of a raid on a pair of wagons. Bodies of goblins and humans were scattered over the road. The group made contact with the survivors and learned that the subhumans had come out of the woods along the road. They were led by a great brute who had caused much of the carnage. The leader of the caravan, Terius of Balorn, pleaded with the companions with to seek out the band of goblins that had fled to the north through the woods. With the goblins, the companions learned, was the co-owner of the caravan and friend of Terius, Vurlan. The companions followed the subhumans trail north towards the hills along Auredain’s border. There they discovered a cave mouth at the end of the trail. Girded for danger, the companions stormed the cave and discovered a small outpost of goblins carousing over their loot from the raid. The companions defeated the remaining goblins and explored the cave which extended deeper into the hillside. The first tunnel they came across was covered in thicky, ropy strands of what Prospit eventually realized were a form of web. A quick discussion about the size of the creature that extruded such sticky silk resulted in the companions choosing not to explore further down that passage. Instead, they moved further into the main cave area where they discovered an old, locked wooden door. There they rescued two quarreling captives from a stinking cell. The captives were no friends, far worse, they had spent the entirety of their captivity learning to hate one another. Jalven, a Shaelovanni caravan guard, had been taken in a raid a week earlier. The other captive, Rokhag, was an Orc and also a captive.The Orc swore to the company that, were he to be freed, that he would not trouble them again but go his own way. Jalven ranted and raved against this. He demanded that the company slay the Orc and free him. It seemed for a time that the company was conflicted but, in the end, it was the actions of Prospit Trima that freed Rokhag and saw him disappearing down the cave mouth. Jalven swore to Prospit that he would not forget such treachery. Within the rock walls, they discovered a chamber beneath the ground floor. This dark place was clearly the abode of a fellcaster but no sign or sight of their foe was discovered.
A trail was found heading further north but the companions knew that the weakened Vurlan needed to return for care and rest were he to survive the day. They transported Vurlan and the recovered coinage back to the wagons. Once there, they remained with the wagon caravan as they also were en route to Keep Dyramar. It seemed best that they travel together as their paths headed north and beyond the borders of Auredain.
The Gates of Keep Dyramar
Spring 25-27, 117 YS
Accompanying the caravan to Dyramar Keep, the company found themselves at their destination. The furthest bastion of civilization north of Auredain. The keep had been retaken a year previously under the banner of Auredain and had become a frontier post that silently promised wealth and adventure to those foolish enough to listen. Having traveled far, the company secured rooms at the Traveler's Inn, run by Wilf Bailey, and found some much-needed rest. The following morning Wilf Bailey informed them that companies such as their own should report to the keep and its Lord-Steward, Eriam of Curuc. After the company settled themselves, they headed out to explore its environs. They stopped at the keep itself and made themselves known to the guard captain and a keep clerk. It was there that they learned of the tariffs and bounties that applied to all groups that ventured out from the keep. As a company, they registered with the clerk and agreed to the provisions governing their activities. The keep claimed ten percent (10%) of any wealth gathered and required that the forces holding the keep have the right of First Refusal on purchasing any relics or items found during their forays. They were informed of the bounties posted by the keep's Lord-Steward; for the right ears of Goblins, Orcs, and Ogres. After becoming signatories, the company filtered out to the few establishments within the walls. The dual-occupied building that housed the Provisioner's Store and its companion, the more seedy, Trader's Store. The Trader's Store was run by Mouse, a Hin of unsavory appearance and manners, although Rhys got along quickly with him. The Provisioner's Store was more boring and provided ample equipment and road fare for any journeys outside the walls. Another establishment visited by the company was Coinate Exchange regarding the calculation of their tariffs and storage of their newfound coinage. Prospit and Kili made their way to the Sentinel's Chapel in the keep. There they met with Sister Karia, a retired Sister of the Spear, who told them a bit of information about the keep and the chapel. She had traveled here to be a part of the efforts to retake the lost lands to the north. While no longer willing to set out herself, she cleaned and purified the old chapel here and began her ministry to aid those who were brave enough to come forth. The two priests learned of the struggles they had to get the place up-and-running before excusing themselves for prayer. After a lengthy period of prayer in front of the rough altar, the two clerics left a handful of silver each for their tithe to the Church.By the end of the day, they were ready for a last night of good food and a good sleep for on the following day they would be heading out in search of wealth and glory.
Rewards Granted
Duergar Axe
Recovered from the goblin leader, the axe appeared merely of fine craftsmanship until Brother Kili observed it. According to him, the runes upon the axe were DUERGAR and were the only ones that Kili, raised on the surface, knew. Those runes had been passed down from his father onto him. They were the runes signifying that that axe came from Haraz Thun. It was a powerful Duergar kingdom that was allied with the Over-Kingdom prior to the The Taking. Kili knew these runes well. His family were originally refugees from the fall of Haraz Thun.Bag of Red Sand
A small cloth bag tied tight so as to keep its contents from spilling out. At first glance, it was simply crimson-colored sand but Rhys recognized it for something more valuable. A powerful narcotic. It had surfaced in the last few years and was changing the face of the underworld in Heraldsport.Assorted Vials & Bottles
Perusing the dark arcane workshop beneath the cave hideout revealed a number of oddly-marked vials and bottles of liquids.Short Sword
An amethyst-pommeled short sword with a keen edge. Taken by Rhys.Assorted Coinage & Items
Remnants of the goblin raiding, the company gathered a large quantity of copper pieces (829 cp). In addition, there were several small pieces of jewelry that were hawked for more coin later.Character(s) interacted with
Terius of Balorn: A traveling member of the Mercators Guild.
Vurlan of Thesal: Partner of Terius and captive of the ambushers. Vurlan is another member of the Mercators Guild.
Rannik of Heraldsport: Leader of caravan security, wounded.
Jalven: A shadow elf caravan guard who had been taken captive by the ambushers.
Rokhag the Orc: An Orcan male that claimed to have been ambushed by the same group and held captive.
Notes
Web-Filled Hallway
The companions did not return to the web-filled hallway.Trail Leading North And East
The tracks heading north and east out of the cave were not followed.
The Company
Prospit Trima, Human Cleric of the Divine Triune
Rhys, Human Thief-Acrobat
Tomas Kennet, Human Warrior
Brother Kili Oakenshield, Dwarven Cleric-Divine Triune
Rhys, Human Thief-Acrobat
Tomas Kennet, Human Warrior
Brother Kili Oakenshield, Dwarven Cleric-Divine Triune
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