Greengrass - Holiday
Early this morning Jode, Brannic and Seraph departed for a trip into the nearby woods to as Birchnor their one question.
The town has decided not to conduct the normal Greengrass celebrations in honor of the fallen Pyril.
::: After a long trek through the woods, Brannic, Jode and Seraph find Birchnor as the sun is fading over the mountains:::
Birchnor speaks, "So the humanoids have returned. Did you find what you were seeking in the Ruins to the West?"
The town has decided not to conduct the normal Greengrass celebrations in honor of the fallen Pyril.
::: After a long trek through the woods, Brannic, Jode and Seraph find Birchnor as the sun is fading over the mountains:::
Birchnor speaks, "So the humanoids have returned. Did you find what you were seeking in the Ruins to the West?"
posted by GM/Brannic | 6:04 AM
16 Comments:
:::Speaking in Sylvan and using his best diplomatic voice:::
Birchnor, great caretaker of the woods, we are humbled again by your presence. Unfortunately, the ruins to the west led us only to more minions of Krichnor and not Krichnor himself.
Pryil, sadly, met his demise at the hands of Gnolls and a Green Dragon. Although my companions were able to dispatch Krichnor's minions, we are once again left at a near dead end.
I believe there is a relationship between Krichnor and dragons. As such, I decided to do some research in some of the historical tomes in Grey’s Deep. Of interest I found some reference to a cult or sect in Faerun called the Dragon Cult. The cult operates in separate cells working for a common purpose, the enslavement of dragons and command over the world. However, this is just surface level information and may be completely unrelated to Krichnor and his minions.
So again we seek your council and wisdom. No being on Toril knows your woods as well as you. And, as you've seen to the birth of every tree, bush and type of plant, perhaps this will allow some insight into Krichnor's location. If Krichnor is no longer in the woods, perhaps you may know who or what Krichnor is, what he seeks, or anything else related to his machinations.
::: Diplomacy +11 :::
"You speak with a wisdom I've seldom seen in humanoids little one." Birchnor seems to look you over at some length before speaking again.
"I see the roots of your parent have finally sprouted as well since we have met. I have not spoken to one with your heritage in quite some time."
He pauses apparently in deep thoughtagain before contining.
"While I did not like Pyril I did respect what we did for the forest. His presence kept the humanoids out and that I liked. With him gone, I suspect it portends a coming influx of infestation. In any regard, to the question you have posed. I have heard of this Cult in which you speak, but I do not think they and Kritchnor are one in the same. Kritchnor and her minions only recently came to this part of the world. My friends in the forest tell me she has some sort of fetish for Metallic dragons. I know there are (or maybe were) 3 to 4 in the general area. Though I do not know if they are still here. Her minions have posted a hefty bounty for anyone who captures one I hear. Alas, Kritchnor herself has not ventured into these woods or my friends and I would know who/what she is. Only her lowly minions have entered of late. All I know of those we've dealt with, is that Kritchnor is some kind of spellcaster who is building up her power base in the Greypeak mountains. She has sent several scouts searching for lost relics from the Netheril Empire which had several small outposts and facilities located here. The Ruins in which you met the construct was once the home of a powerful Arch-Mage and his students. What exactly he was looking to find there I'm not certain, but I'm sure there are many powerful relics scattered across the valley."
Meanwhile.... back at the Ruins.
Caurus and Jellen lay on the stone floor in the small training area setup beneath the ruins. Both are exhausted and drenched in sweat from hours of training. Neary, Nimbus is busy digging through an old rusted metal chest looking for something. He pulls out 2 sets of metallic bracers and tosses them to the 2 humans sprawled out on the floor.
"These training sticks aren't working. We'll need to speed things up a bit. Put those on. You two waste too much energy dodging about. You need to learn to concerve your momentum if you wan to last in a fight. These are training tools developed by the master."
Caurus and Jellen tenatively put the bracers on. Instantly their skin seems to become speckled and cracked like aged rock. While their skin has become solid and rough, their arms and legs feel like they are made also out of stone.
"With these on, it'll be tough for you to really hurt one another. But the more you move the more you'll wear yourself out. Now gather up your weapon Caurus and you and I will spar first"
With that the training continues.....
Nimbus shakes his head and lets out what sounds like a heavy sigh.
"It's about leverage and balance Caurus. Not about dancing around the place. Time for you to take a break."
Gesturing for Caurus to sit on a pile of rubble.
"Jellen, your turn. Let's see how much you learned about leverage and balance."
He motions Jellen to approach as they lock arms and begin to wrestle.
Jellen steps forward... using leverage and balance as Nimbus demonstrated. Hands out in front and swings his hands carefully to stay balanced during his sparring attack.
Nimbus and Jellen continue to test each other. Using different holds and grappling techinques.
Caurus is able to catch his breath and the hours roll on.
....
Meanwhile, back in the forest, Birchnor is waiting to see if the humanoids have anything else to say.
Birchnor, I thank you for your praise and am humbled by your words.
Hmm, so this Kritchnor is a female and a spell-caster. It seems we have our work cut-out for us then. Mages can be the most beneficial and yet the most insidious beings in all Toril. Since this Kritchnor seeks lost relics of the ancient Netherese she is indeed insidious. I wonder if she understands why a vast desert exists in the middle of Faerun. When mortals begin thinking they are gods, only doom and death awaits.
During our trials with some of Kritchnor’s minions we acquired some items of interest. A silver dragon skull helmet, six magical brass dragon horns and magical set of bracers made from silver dragon scales. I presume this means a silver dragon and brass dragon met their end to Kritchnor and her followers. If Kritchnor knows of the other dragons in the area, then she no doubt will seek their demise as well. Perhaps it would be wise for us to seek out the remaining one or two good dragons in the area to warn them. Of course, seeking out any other Netherese ruins would also be a prudent endeavor.
Conceivably would could do both in a sense. We could pose as bounty hunters and attempt to enlist with Kritchnor’s subordinates. There is the kobold prisoner in Grey’s Deep. Several of us could even pretend to free the kobold in hopes to find one of Kritchnor’s hide outs. Then again, I’m not well versed in subterfuge. Hmm…
:::Seraph scratches his head and looks off into the distance, pondering what would be the best course for the Regulators. Then turns to Birchnor and his companions, Jode and Brannic:::
What do you believe we should do?
::Birchnor scratches his mossy chin in contemplation:::
Examining one of the Brass Dragon horns, he sighs heavily - "ah Knipnally, you poor soul. A gentle creature with a wonderful sense of humor. He was such a young soul and did not deserve this end. I will take these horns from you and provide a proper burial for him. I'm assuming the other dead dragon is Cassiuse. I haven't seen him in quite some time."
"I believe there are 2 more young dragons in this region. A young Silver dragon Sisivril and another young Brass dragon named Batnatch. I spoke with Sisivril not more than a week ago. With the bounty posted, their lives are in grave peril I fear. Unfortunately I do not know where they reside."
::: Meanwhile back in Grey's Deep:::
With Caurus and Jellen undergoing intensive training with the mysterious Nimbus and Brannic, Jode and Seraph off talking with the old Treant Birchnor the town of Grey's Deep is enjoying a quiet evening. Occassionally the ringing of hammer on steel from Vig's forge on the edge of town can be heard over the sound of crickets.
The town has just buried one of their own in a tribute to the Druid Pyril. An ad-hoc monument was erected in the center of town to commemorate the sacrifices he made over the years for the town.
The town is awakened suddenly in the middle of the night with the sound of thunderous impacts. Wood being splintered, stone being smashed, debris raining from all around. It only lasts for about 10 minutes. When it is over terrified townspeople peek out of their doorways. Around town they see the remains of several buildings, smashed by large rocks.
Several building have sustained severe damage. Included in this are the town's only jail and the church of Lathander. Several homes were also hit, including the Inn run by Jode's family. Luckily no one was injured there, but the building has collapsed along the northeastern side.
In all 10 buildings were hit, including the makeshift shrine to Pyril. 9 people were injured by collapsing buildings and falling rocks. The only 2 fatalities were the sherrif and the kobold prisonner in the jail house.
No one is certain just what happened here. The sky was deeply overcast the next morning. Many people took this to be a bad omen.
--GM
:::Back in the grove of Birchnor:::
I think it might be a good idea for us to seek one of the dragons. Perhaps Sisivril since he was in the area not too long ago and offer aid and protection to him.
Birchnor, wisest of birch trees, did Sisivril have a lair nearby that we could investigate? Or could you offer some information that might give us a clue as to his whereabouts?
:::Talking to himself under his breath:::
"Damn, it would be nice to have some sort of tracker amongst us!"
:::Turning his attention back to Birchnor:::
Birchnor lifts his limbs up wide and tall to stretch into the dusky sky.
"The last time we spoke, she was going to find a cave in the hills East of your fair city. Wherebouts in those hills I do not know."
Turning his limbs to and fro into the breeze above.
"I sense a foul stench in the air tonight. I think it is best if you remain here until sunrise before returning to your village."
I think I speak for all of us when I say we are grateful and humbled by your offer of protection.
When we get back to town tomorrow, I will attempt to acquire the rest of Knipnally's horns and return them to you for a proper burial when I can. What do you suggest we do with the skull and bracers from young Cassiuse?
:::Birchnor:::
"Though I did not know Cassiuse very well, he was a decent sort and should receive the proper burial as well. If you return these items to me, I will grant you one favor that is within my power in return."
Fireflies begin dancing through the air in the clearing.... a mood of utter calm seems to settle on Seraph, Jode and Brannic.
"Rest now until morning. You will not be harmed when in my presence."
The group has a very restful evening. In the morning, it is very overcast and a chilly breeze seems to sweep through the trees. Birchnor, ushers the group out of the clearing and a Satyr named Ursus guides the party to the edge of the forest. There he bids them farewell as he disappears back into the woods.
As the group approaches the village they can see the effect of the attack on the town last night.
By the gods, what has happened!
As Brannic, Jode and Seraph enter the village, they see several buildings along the Eastern side smashed to bits.
The villagers are busy combing through the debris looking for survivors and assessing the damage. 2 bodies lay in the town square covered in blankets. One is much smaller than the other. Next to the bodies lies a stack of around 20 boulders. Each boulder looks to weigh around 40 to 50 lbs.
No one seems to know what happened other than these rocks started falling from the sky. Many believe that Stone Giants threw the rocks from the Eastern Hills, though some think the distance is too far.
Fear and Anger simmers beneath the visage of every villager the characters pass.
:::With no time to consider the reason behind the attack, Seraph quickly begins assisting the injured, healing wounds both physical and mental.:::
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