Although the hike back to Winterhaven is in better spirits with Douven's release, it is in "dark days".
The light seems almost straining to overcome the gloom....most animals are not as much silent as they are absent, even the livestock are no longer grazing.
The small fields around the farms of Winterhaven seem empty and untended....the smell of dampness has given way to that of rotting produce.
Stores meant for the castle and town in its siege storage still lie uncollected and exposed to the rain and elements.
Though things seemed difficult before, it seems in the two days of your absence that a distint change has come over the countryside of a most unnatural origin.
Perhaps the dispatch from Kalarel was indeed correct...three days till the portal could be opened.
There isn't much time.
Whether a lie or not...the farmers seem to have abandoned their plots...no doubt to flee to the safety of the towns walls.
(Mardok however seems cheerful enough in spite of this)
It is easy to tell which farmers have fled from the ones who might still be at home.
The ones who fled did so at such a quick pace that their homes still remain unlocked and untended...the ones who are still in their homes are the only ones which are locked up tight as a drum.
As they finally approach the walls of Winterhaven, the ones who fled seem to be almost awaiting the heros as they return.
A population of "refugees" now overflowing from the Tenements and spilling into the streets....most of them barely pausing to give furtive glances when they do at all.
Gorshak: "We weren't gone that long?"
Travis shrugs.
All that is save Delphina....even though night falls quickly, her smile lights up the market square.
Delphina: "I am so happy you are not dead."
Shaster: "What a coinsedence...I am ALSO happy I am not dead!"
Delphina: "Farms were attacked last night along the northfold....places were burned...people were taken...those who were not slain came here bringing horrible tales."
Travis: "Of?"
Delphina: "Goblins."
Mardok after looking at Delphina appreciatively, takes out his great axe (gripping it tightly) and asks her if she would like to discuss townships tragedy of the last two days over light dinner with wine.
He looms over her menacingly as he does.
Gorshak: "Damn it, Mardok...."
Without breaking stride with the moment, Delphina puts a wreath of aromatic wildflowers around his neck (as if to suggest it may help with the smell).
She then not to be rude, does the same to the rest of the Winterhaven Heros but is stopped by Douven who refuses the gift humbly muttering something about "allergies"?
Mardok attempts to wipe the dried gnome blood and vicera off of the tulips.
Travis says he is going to give thanks to Avandra for granting them success and victory (thus far) at the temple and he will join them at the Inn when he has finished.
Fielin and Douven both nod and say; "Drink!" simultaneously.
Fielin: "Your buying."
Douven: "Says the eladrin carrying the sack of gold."
Mardok: "WAIT...you owe me at least a pint for coming here to save your old wrinkled ass!"
Douven: "Would ya jus' LOOK at you cheap bastiches..."
Shaster: "I think I should try and find that Mayor....maybe I can negociate a better deal in light of recent events."
Gorshak says he will try and find the Captain of the guard and ask what has happened.
Quinn: "You will find him at the Warrior's Guild, if he is here at all."
He nods in acknowledgment and goes yonder with a large sack of "confiscated" kobold weaponry to leave with Thair Coalstriker; "Less time spent there....the better" he thought.
As Shaster walks around the town looking for Lord Padraig...he passes many posts that offer (in point of fact) 150 gold and not the stated 100 coins that Padraig had offered earlier for anyone brave enough to go into the abandoned Shadowfell Keep and stop this inhuman force.
Shaster: "He must be getting desperate to increase his reward by 25% a day..." he paused "...or it's FAR more dangerous than he is letting on."
Fielin, Mardok both watch as Douven counted the coins in each pouch, pot or small chest simply by the rattle it made....silver would mess up his count but with gold (like most dwarves) Douven was infalible.
Mardok examined Agrid's mangled amulet and wondered where he could find someone who might know how to mend the once magical item.
He then recalled, the older man he had nearly "eaten" the first night he arrived in Winterhaven...he would know.
Eilian the Elder: "Oh no, you don't want me....you want that guy overthere."
Noting it is only when Mardok needs a question answered, that Eilian the Elder is suddenly no longer a "know-it-all" on the subject at hand and defers to Valthrun the Prescient.
(This makes Selvana Wrafton giggle to no end)
Mardok inhales the sweet vapors from a kobold Gluepot.
Fielin & Douven both shudder at the display.
Mardok: "YOU! I am told you are Valthrun....I require your services."
An older man who had been warming his bones by the fire nearly drops his drink at the half orc's announcement.
(He shoots an angry glance at Eilian who pretends not to notice his discomfort.)
The old man pulls out his specs slowly and deliberately as if pretending not to notice the full size of the barbarian who stands before him.
His eyes go wide as Mardok drops the bloodcaked and severely hacked amulet on the table.
Valthrun: "Not mine?"
Mardok: "This gnome's trinket is defective....it was not axe-proof....are you able to repair it?"
Valthrun: "Ahhh......no....not by me, no."
Mardok: "Then who?"
Valthrun: "It WAS exquisite workmanship....who originally made it?"
Mardok: "Failed to inquire....I was too busy discovering it wasn't axe-proof."
Valthrun pulls out his pipe and while stuffing it in between adjusting his specs while tapping the mangled piece of jewelry with the bowls mouthpiece all the while muttering "gnome" from time to time as he does.
Ninaran: "He knows NOTHING."
Mardok rushes over to the speaker, taking out his axe as he does.
He stands before an elven ranger that sits near the rear of the Inn's common area.
Mardok: "I do NOT recall asking YOU!"
Ninaran: "Just saving you time."
Mardok: "You will NOT interrupt me when I am doing business!"
She holds up her hands as if to motion that she surrenders.
The barbarian turns back towards the not too stealthily departing, Valthrun the Stumblebum.
Mardok: "Answer me now old man."
Valthrun: "No idea."
Mardok: "Very well..." the old man breathes a sigh of relief "...in that case, can you tell me why I shouldn't break your jaw for wasting my time?"
Valthrun's bunghole puckers up again as he shrugs.
Mardok: "Leave before I do so."
At this point Selvana steps up.
Mardok: "I SAID SHUT UP WOMAN!!"
Selvana: "NOBODY tells me what I can and can not do in MY place..." as Valthrun stands to leave she pushes him back down to his seat "...I say who stay and who goes.....care to TRY me?"
Mardok: "Very well barkeep." and with that she puts down Douven's mutton shank and Fielin's ale flagon.
Mardok turns to look for the ranger that had apparently silenced the old man with a word, but she was nowhere to be seen.
Suprised by her stealth he looks around.
Mardok: "Where is that person that interrupted me earlier....who here knows her?"
Almost now out of the picture, Valthrun winces at mention of this and slowly raises his hand.
Valthrun: "Her name is Ninaran"
Mardok: "Where can I find her?"
Valthrun: "She could be anywhere.....she's dangerous."
Mardok: "And I am not?" as he picks dried gnome blood from his caked hides.
Valthrun: "All I know is that sometimes, she comes here....to the Inn...that's all....I hardly doubt anyone in town had even heard her name two seasons before last."
Mardok resolves that he is going to stand outside the front door of the Inn and simply wait for her to show again before the heros decide to depart again and will wait up all night if he has to.....which he does to no avail as the mysterious ranger never returns before thier departure.
Gorshak approaches the Warrior's Guild and recalls Quinn's words concerning Rond Kelfman, the Captain of the Guard.
He apparently has a thing for elves.....(but hey, who DOESN'T?)
As he enters the Guild doorway, the two sentries step back warily as the goliath fills the entrance.
Gorshak: "I am looking for Rond Kelfman."
Though taken aback by the goliath's presence, the various symbols of Kord show that he is a man of "faith" and that they seems more suprised by what he is rather than who he is.
(MUST be the friendly face)
Clivities: "He has been out towards the Northfold accessing the damage for the goblin's raid."
Gorshak: "Goblins?.....How, with NO warning?"
Clivities: "They came from the direction of the Shadowfell and seemingly arrived with the storm..." he continued "...they used it for cover, slew only the most stubborn of defenders and took the rest regardless or rank or station."
Gorshak: "Sneaky bastiches...just like the kobold's, their days are now numbered."
While the present guards all manage smiles at the paladin's bravado, it's easy to tell they are scared and tired.
With all the hungry and frightened farmers overflowing the tenements (and now roaming in the streets), it's all they can do to maintain order as conditions worsen.
No food.
Building hysteria.
Little hope.
Immenant attack on the horizon that was at one time idle speculation but now a forgone conclusion.
Winterhaven is now in real danger of tearing itself apart.
Convinced he can accomplish nothing further, the goliath departs the guild for the Inn.
On the walk back he observes that the guards are indeed correct in what they had told him....perhaps even exaggerated owing to the beaten look on the faces of those he passes.
Farmers and other refugees swamp him as he makes his way to the Inn.
Surrounded by an ocean of hands, all looking for donations, the goliath throws down a handful of kobold spears at their feet much to their astonishment and says; "Kord does not help those who will not defend themselves"....and walks away without another word towards Thair Coalstriker's.
Travis arrives at Wrafton's in time to hear a recent favorite rendition by the local bard.
As he begins to play his lyre, Mardok wrinkles his nose at the melancholic sounds and comments; "BOOOOO....Mardok wants to hear the happy fairy song."
Travis looks to Selvana as he walks passed her; "I gotta live with that."
The Bard begins to sing of a tale about a knight named Sir Keegan who at one time was Lord of the Shadowfell.
So fine was his skill with the blade that he was considered to be, at the time, the finest swordsman in the Vale....absolutely without peer.
Until one dark and stormy night (just like this one) Sir Keegan, without a word went nuts and began to slaughter anyone who managed to get in his way without exception....man, woman or child....all fell before his blade.
The knights of the keep tried to resist, but as was claimed, Lord Keegan's prowess with the sword was legendary and any who stood their ground against him, fell to his sword.
Until at the very height of the storm, a bolt of lightning struck the centre support and brought the keep down on the errant knight's head.
Most figured he must have died but for weeks afterwords, his sorrowful moans could be heard as he wept for his own wife and children...the first to be cut down in his mad rampage.
The bard sings of how it is this forgotten evil and not goblin's that really stirs darkess in the bowels of the Shadowfell.
He sings that if any peace is to be found...Sir Keegan must be put to rest.
Quinn takes notice that Valthrun shakes his head at the bards very "colorful" tale....however Mardok turns in his direction and this expression is quickly lost to concern as he approaches and passes.
Valthrun breathes a sigh of relief at the half orcs interest in drink and not himself.
He turns to come face to face with Quinn....simple enough to know he was there....his aura lit up the table about 5 seconds before he arrived.
While concerned with the titanic Mardok, he seems oddly at ease with the deva....he even points out that he must be so...and is the ONLY mortal so far that he has ever encountered that knew what he was.
Reassuring him with kind words and a refill in his mug, Quinn asks him what he knows about Shadowfell Keep.
Confident Mardok is distracted he claims; "Taeius is only partly correct about Sir Keegan and the night of his rampage."
Quinn: "Go on...."
Valthrun: "I don't believe he was "driven insane"....I believe he was cursed."
Quinn: "What proof have you of this?"
Valthrun: "Nothing directly, but there are some eye witness accounts of people claiming he was sobbing uncontrollably and appologizing even as he cut those around him down."
Quinn: "That is rather conspicuous and difficult to confirm."
Valthrun: "I believe my father...he was there that day....one of the lucky few who escaped."
Quinn: "What else would make you say that....surely there must be more?"
Valthrun: "Shadowfell is not the first structure to be built there....nor is it the first to fall either."
Douven steps forward into the conversation; "You are speaking of the Nareth Empire?"
Valthrun: "Yes....Shadowfell was built over the remains of what was a once a place of great power in the long ancient past."
Quinn: "Built over the remains of what?"
Valthrun: "No one knows for certain...but I believe the Keep was put there specifically to protect against something they had discovered there."
Douven: "The Nareth had immense power in their day...their control stretched from one side of Oerth to the other."
Valthrun: "Incredible dark power...and I think THAT is what the goblin's have disturbed in the keep and not the "Ghost of Sir Keegan" as our local entertainer would have you believe."
Quinn: "Something Kalarel seeks to release."
Valthrun: "Kala-who?"
Quinn: "Nothing old one...thank you for your assistance."
The devan cleric barely has time to share what he has learned from the Prescient old man when Lord Padraig "staggers" into the building and nearly face plants in front of the players upon seeing them.
Travis pours himself a mug of ale which the drunken Lord then takes and consumes as he arrives.
Padraig: "HEY....you found your friend!"...."Does that mean you will be able to help me wit-"
Gorshak: "Yes, it shouldn't be much of a problem...nothing is ever so desperate when you have a big sack of gold right."
Padriag: "And thatsch exactly whut I will give ya....ALL O'YA...I will EVEN pay an EXTRA 50 COINS of gold from my own purse on top of the existing 100 if you will go into and investigate the keep." he continues "The attack along the Northfold was an act of WAR...but none of the local lords will rally to my cause.
Travis: "They think you will lose."
The drunken lord points to Morgan as if to say; "EXACTLY"
Padraig: "So I MUST do something!" and with that he pounds his fist into the table nearly knocking over all the mugs present and then promptly passes out cold on the spot.
Travis takes his mug from the unconcious Padraig and refills his drink; "I guess we should all declare our intensions...we originally set out to find Douven, not try and save a town...even if the "lush" is paying handsomely enough for our services."
Mardok: "He's paying gold and we can keep what we find....I am in...beside I want to find this Ninaran person."
Quinn: "Wait, Mardok has a friend?"
Travis: "Let's not get ahead of ourselves."
Fielin: "Some ranger...definitely had our half orc all hot and bothered....she's been missing for a while now."
Quinn: "He DOES have a new friend!"
Travis: "Of course he needs a new friend....he's still wearing the old one!"
Shaster: "I was not a part of the rescue party, but if there are any who will venture towards the keep...I would sure like a share of that gold Padraig is talking about."
Quinn: "Our true purpose has yet to reveal itself but I sence its roots will be found in the bowels of the Shadowfell....I choose to continue the journey."
Fielin: "That's sweet.....count me OUT of this little suicide mission...idea was to find Douven and we have done just that...so I am taking MY share of the gold and I am leaving."
Travis: "Touching as always...but for once he was honest...I will stay the course."
Gorshak: "I too sence the heart of this evil disturbance lies somewhere under the Shadowfell....and I will not rest 'til such time as we have sought it out and destroyed it!"
Douven: "Boyo's....know that the Nareth were as nasty as a people could get...there's no telling what lies beneath that Keep.....be ready for anything....and know that for those of you who return Fallcrest, once all is done...I will have something special for each of ya as a sign o' me gratitude."
The dwarf raises his mug; "I will NEVER f'rget whut ya done f'r me."
The heros toast to the successful rescue of their mentor...(barely audible over Lord Padraig's excessive drunken snoring)
Sleep eluded the heros that evening.
With Douven safe it should have been that they were relaxed, but instead the same strange malaize that has gripped the countryside in it clutches has similarly squeezed the enthusiasm from their hearts.
As the heros ate breakfasts, sipped of teas and readied equipment for the coming journey...a crowd began to gather in anticipation of their leaving.
As they walked through the Winterhaven gates towards the Northfold, the refugee farmers and townfolk alike bid the heros an excited and heartfelt farewell.
Travis: "The Heros of Winterhaven?"
Quinn: "Let them have it...sometimes hope is all we are afforded in life...don't deprive them of it."
Shaster: "Frankly, I don't see the problem."
Douven: "It sounds like the sort of name that people are going to expect you to live up to sooner or later..." he looks at the desperate faces that line the Inn "...in your case, perhaps sooner!"
Travis: "Any last minute advice?"
Douven: "Since when have ANY of you ever listened to me?" he ponders a moment "Just try not to get killed."
Gorshak turns as he hoists his pack; "And just HOW are we going to do that?"
Douven: "Keep your head down?"
Gorshak: "You're funny..." he replies sarcastically "...stay to the back paths..." he puts his enormous hand to Douven's shoulder "...be safe."
Fielin: "You too."
Mardok: "Keep your head down?"..."Are you kidding me?"
Douven: "That was just for them...you don't need that kind of advice."
Mardok: "Why is that?"
Douven: "They're just men...you're a tiger."
Mardok: "Could the fool make any less sence?"..."Next time you get lost and need help, don't call me." and he storms out in disgust, still unsatisfied with being unable to locate Ninaran.
Travis: "He didn't mean that...."
Fielin, Travis, Gorshak and Douven all exchange a look in silence and then all say at more or less the same time; "Yes, he did."
They reach the crossroads at the base of the hill upon which the town of Winterhaven is built.
Fielin and Douven take their leave of the group and begin the three day journey back to Fallcrest.
The morning is gloomy, foggy and damp....a light drizzle falls...not enough to soak you immediately but in a few hours (with the help of a great deal of sweat)...everything you own in the world will be completely soaked before the day is half over.
The cheers of the townsfolk now lost on the wind as it howls through the barren hills and fields that surround you.
True to Padraig's words, they were not but a half days travel from the safety of the towns walls when evidence of the recent raids became impossible to refute.
The goblins made no attempts to hide their tracks or those of their captives and just as predicted, they lead to one place.
It was shortly before nightfall when the ruins of the keep came into view.
The road leading up to the remains of this ancient fortress is arduous to say the least.
Ahead, the narrow track widens into a clearing.
Great piles of shattered stone blocks and scorched timbers dominate the clearing, sprawling outwards towards the edge of the woods.
No plants grow in the ruins or within the clearing.
The path is bare dirt and although the forest is beginning to reclaim the path leading here, it has not strayed into the ruins of the Shadowfell.
Yet clearly someone has tampered with the ruins.
In the centre of the debris, stone blocks and timbers have been gathered into a pile.
Someone has cleared a path through the rubble and pulled aside the wreckage to reveal a stone staircase that decends in to the cold, forbidding darkness below.
Travis leans towards Mardok; What do you think?"
The half orc barbarian sniffs deeply from the draft that blows up the stairwell.
Mardok: "Stale, stagnant dungeon air mixed with the strong smell of unwashed bodies..." he pulls out his axe "...someone has been very busy."
Travis pulls out his crossbow and takes up a flanking position on the half orc.
Shaster walks beside the barbarian as Gorshak takes up his six o'clock position with the Mighty Quinn taking up a rear guard position with morning star in hand.
Holding up a torch, Shaster stepped forward confidently into the darkness.
The stairway leading down consists of finely crafted stone.
Gorshak: "Perhaps the work of dwarves."
A breeze chills you to the bones as you take each step down, the flicker of torchlight spills from a room at the bottom of the stairs.
The 30' square room was set with 4 pillars of unusual craftsmanship and light that continued to light the three possible ways out of this first chambre.
With a practiced reliablility of experience and training, the heros fan into the booby trapped guard room unaware of the dangers within.
As he awaited his companions advance, Mardok strained to hear what he could from the corridor to the east but chattering squeaks pierced the otherwise silent ruins making it difficult to pinpoint the sources origin.
He motions his companions forward.
Gorshak had crossed the majority of the room before he was noticed by the Goblin Warrior sentry.
Still commenting on how he hated rats, he didn't notice the goblin take a bead and release his javalin...with the weapon streaking past his face as the first indication of trouble as the goblin shrieked out an alarm.
From behind the Warrior came two more Sharpshooting Archers and from the other two directions, a single Goblin Warrior to block the path of anyone foolish enough to storm the keep directly.
Quinn takes up a flanking position on Gorshak upon word of ambush.
Shaster spun around to see his target but lacked postion for a prime shot but as he moved passed a pillar to set up, he triggered and very nearly fell victem to a covered pit trap filled with a swarm of ravenous dungeon rats.
The actions of the floor rotation was noticed by all though perhaps not simultaneously.
Shaster: "Merde!"
Mardok: "It was just a fart..."
Travis puts away his crossbow in favor of his leafblade and shield against what will soon be a charging goblin Warrior.
Gorshak carefully navigates the trap and prepares to smite his foe when two Sharpshooters take up flanking postions on the front most Warrior.
Quinn is the first to attack the sentry and a bolt of light streaks out as the deva calls upon the radiant power of his Lance of Faith but he misses the shifty goblin attacker.
Upon seeing he has missed, the cleric jumps the edge on the pit closest to him rather than walk its edge.
Mardok seeing Gorshak hesitate, siezes upon the moment and charges, jumping the pits edge to get at the goblin.
Mardok: "Goblin?....You are going to die now!"
He charges the smaller skirmisher Howling like a maniac as he goes.
The strike draws Romyr the Reluctants blood, but has not felled the foe.
Now that he is in optimal position to strike, Shaster unleashes a Biting Swarm at Romyr, as a javalin arcs passed him...but the bees arc around Romyr's hideous visage.
Travis' voice rings out through the goblin war cries; "Attack THAT one!!!"
Mardok looks upon the cowering Lompy the Ludicrous and swings his great axe harder than ever he has swung it before and hits his foe critically.
Happiness is the smell of the hot blood of your enemies spilling at his feet, finishing off the foe before him he wastes no time finding his next victem; "I am DEATH...look upon me and despair!"
Travis nods with satisfaction at the sight.
Mardok is struck by an arrow and a second shaft of the volly whizzes passed the elated Morgan.
Before Gorshak can complain about the barbarian taking his kill, he is struck soundly by a javalin but thanks to Quinn's devotion, he calls upon the power of Bahamut to protect the goliath with the same fortitude as his great platinum scales and the severity of the blow is reduced upon the paladin.
Before he can react, the deva is missed by a javalin heaved from Fenis the Ferocious, a goblin Warrior.
Quinn: "HA, I've a god on my side HEATHEN!"
Goshak's strike almost slays Romyr outright with the wounds he has suffered so far and he utters a Divine Challenge to the Warrior before him knowing he will suffer Kord's disdain for refusal and cowardice.
Quinn looks to Fenis and a beam of light from above sears the goblin Warrior and temporarily invigorates the cleric.
Seeing another opportunity present itself, Mardok charges to foe nearest Quinn and Jumps the pits edge a second time as he does, Howling and brandishing his weapon as he does and for this bravery he is rewarded with a solid strike that bloodies Fenis in a single hit.
The Razorclaw shifter takes aim at one of the Sharpshooters down the hall and releases his Elemental Spirits to infuse the spirit of primal fire into his arrow's flight.
Blix the Bungling is struck by the flaming projectile in the chest and begins to scream out as he is burned by mystical flame.
Travis looks to the other side of the combat and not wishing to jump the pit to reach his target, he calls out to the goliath; "GORSHAK....save away big guy!"
He swings upon hearing the Commander's instruction but reacts to slow and misses the shifty little foe who chooses to remain right where he is to cause the most damage to the heros.
Gorshak: "Today is NOT a good day."
No sooner had he spoke the words, is he struck by the goblin's sword and Travis is in turn hit by an arrow from one of the dark sharpshooters.
Before he can see the source of his pain, a second shaft strikes Shaster, who growls out in pain; "DAMN IT,....Ok, you're going down....whichever one of you it was that shot me!"
In the ensuing mele, the Warrior before Mardok misses him by the most narrow of margins.
Fenis: "You will not fell ME Kinslayer!"
As the goliath's foe shifts his position on the battlefield, he begins to cook and smolder as was promised by the paladin's vow of rightous combat.
He swings valiantly as his foe tries to retreat before the superior attacker still strikes the goblin Warrior with full force and bloodies his foe in the process.
Looking towards Fenis, Quinn calls forth the power of his god but in vain as Fenis apparently hasn't enough faith in him to anger an immortal such as Bahamut.
Fenis: "Is that ALL you've got, blue man?"
With that Mardok spins and throws his hand axe directly into the throat of Fenis who gurgles in a spurting spray of black foulness and falls to the floor at the deva's feet.
Feeling invigorated my his enemies sufferings, the barbarian initiates a swift charge and summoning the power and spirit of a pouncing tiger (just as douven had advised) the half orc easily clears the 10' pit in a single stride and lands his blow, Howling as he does all the way.
Pushing even further in truely epic fashion the half orc pushes to the limits of his endurance and makes a final bullrush across the pit yet again (for a fourth time) to come to a stop beside the two charging Sharpshooters and initiating a great cleave upon his arrival hits both foes in one swing that adds Furiously to his assault.
Both the attacking goblins fall dead in their tracks to his strike as though his axe blade were guided by the great cyclopean god himself.
Gorshak is somewhat struck in awe by the barbarians bravery and heroism...truely inspiring in every sence of the word to behold.
Mardok: "Do I have to kill them all by myself?"....."Come on and let's finish these pukes!!"
Shaster takes aim with his bow but as if mocked by the half orcs heroic acts, his bow string snaps as he tries to notch his next shot.
Shaster: "CRAP!"
Travis: "Mardok?.....Close the door, its getting drafty!!!"
Upon the Commander's advice, he swings both high and low on his enemy nearly splitting him in two.
Mardok: "AND STAY DEAD!!!"
Travis: "Amen, brother!"
TO BE CONTINUED...
