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Adventures in the Eastern Provinces
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<blockquote data-quote="the Jester" data-source="post: 7592490" data-attributes="member: 1210"><p>With the information our heroes uncovered at Tscire Nobi, the Delphinite authorities finally have the evidence to shut down the local Tenebrous cult. After all, they have been sacrificing citizens. Unfortunately, neither Quah-Nomag nor anyone of real importance to the cult are caught in the wizards' net; it may even be that Quah-Nomag was the sole authority in the organization, for the rest seem to be mere fanatic thralls. </p><p></p><p>Afterward, General Habrael invites the party to enjoy a residuum tasting before they return home. This proves to be an enjoyable event, albeit one that is bizarre; the notion of adding raw magic to one's food and drink seems to treat the residuum with unreasonably frivolity, as if it could simply be harvested like any other resource. Indeed, that seems to be exactly wha the Delphinite citizens think happens. Over the course of the tasting, there are several more references to the residuum mines, though nobody is willing to tell our heroes where these alleged mines are.</p><p></p><p><em>I just can't figure it,</em> Karlinden thinks. <em>Surely there can't actually be a way to mine residuum... can there?</em></p><p></p><p>***</p><p></p><p>Moab stands at attention before his father. </p><p></p><p>“You've done very well, indeed,” the general declares. “Thanks to you, we've made contact with another group of survivors of the Six-Fingered Hand. And thanks to them, we now know about the dangers that the Tenebrous cult represents.”</p><p></p><p>“Thank you, sir!”</p><p></p><p>“It is necessary to follow up on that cult,” Habrael continues. “To continue to investigate them. And since these people intend on doing that, I am going to send you with them.”</p><p></p><p>“Yes, sir!”</p><p></p><p>“You will serve two purposes: first, you will act as our ambassador and agent among them. As such, you will advance our interests in any and all ways that you deem appropriate while you are with them. Second, you will aid them in seeking out this Quah-Nomag and preventing him from achieving his goals, as those seem likely to impact our society. Indeed, he has already cost the lives of a number of our citizens, and as such, I am empowering you to carry out a death sentence against him.”</p><p></p><p>“Yes, sir!”</p><p></p><p>“Excellent.” The two shake hands. “I look forward to your reports.”</p><p></p><p>***</p><p></p><p>The Delphinate proves an excellent source of rituals. Our heroes linger a few more days in order to learn several. </p><p></p><p>“I grow bored,” Kane grumbles. </p><p></p><p>But before they can depart for home, Shar receives a <em>sending.</em></p><p></p><p>She gathers her companions. “We're being called on for help. Moonstair is under attack by a kingdom of trolls.”</p><p></p><p>“A what, now?” P-69 cocks his head.</p><p></p><p>“I'm not aware of any such kingdom,” Karl objects. </p><p></p><p>Several back-and-forth <em>sendings</em> clears up the situation a little. It appears as though there is a self-declared troll king named Skalmad who is attempting to carve out a new troll realm, calling it Vardar in reference to such a kingdom that existed long ago. He has been gathering his kind for months, perhaps longer, but has only recently begun probing Moonstair's defenses. A group of local heroes had recently forayed out to attempt to dissuade the trolls, but nobody has heard anything from them since. And, as the party has seen, without some kind of heroes, there aren't enough people there to hold off a sustained troll attack.</p><p></p><p>“Sounds risky,” Shifty says. “They're not worth it.”</p><p></p><p>“They're asking us for help,” Shar replies. “Think about it. We can bring them into our own territory if we save them. We can have an outpost on the Feywild.”</p><p></p><p>“That does sound promising...”</p><p></p><p>“Also,” Kane points out, “we can slay many trolls, which is a reward in its own right.”</p><p></p><p>“So we're agreed?” Shar surveys the group. “We'll help?” </p><p></p><p>There is a general murmur of agreement.</p><p></p><p>“In that case,” Karl says, “I can speed our journey up. Unlike when we made our trip south, I now have access to the <em>phantom steed</em> ritual. It will conjure up magical mounts for us, which will allow us to travel much faster.”</p><p></p><p>***</p><p></p><p>Moonstair has entered a siege mentality. People are harvesting what crops they can, bringing livestock into the town proper, erecting defensive works, stockpiling ammuntion and oil for the town's defenders- whatever they can do to prepare.</p><p></p><p>Rualiss, the eladrin attorney the party met previously, thanks them effusively for coming to the town's aid. “I don't know what we would have done without you,” he says. “We don't have any real war leaders or the like.”</p><p></p><p>“It's okay.” Shifty grins. “We're quite experienced in battle. Why, our man Kane has even led a mercenary company!” It's an exaggeration, but one that heartens the town's defenders. </p><p></p><p>***</p><p></p><p>The party rests for two days and nights. For most of them, it's nice to eat and drink stuff that is free of the tang of residuum. For Moab, it's just a reminder that he is away from home again, living for who knows how long with people barely better than savages.</p><p></p><p>Scouts report troll sign less than two miles out of the town. It's clear the attack is coming; the only question is, when?</p><p></p><p>***</p><p></p><p>When it does come, it's a sudden mass of airborn enemies wyverns and a manticore ridden by a troglodyte wearing fancy armor made of shells and stones netted together.</p><p></p><p>Our heroes speed to meet them where they land and begin to wreak havoc even as another group, this one including strangely pale trolls, an ogre, and several weird monsters with but a single huge eye, attacks the town's walls. Yet more monsters attempt to storm Moonstair's docks, and another band attacks from the far side- a troll leading a pack of worgs.</p><p></p><p>The party brings their full force against the aerial assault. The monsters are deadly; the poison on the tails of the wyverns is severe, and the manticore and its rider work together as a deadly team. Pinioned between the manticore's spikes, the troglodyte's javelins, and the stings of the wyverns, Kane is taken out of the fight for a few moments before Shar and Shifty can restore him, but then Moab manages to force the enemies into a perfect formation for Karl's <em>fireball</em> and <em>flame burst.</em></p><p></p><p>Meanwhile, the folk of Moonstair do their best to defend themselves against the other attacks. Columns of smoke begin to rise where the fire necessary to combat trolls spills onto buildings, barrels, wagons.</p><p></p><p>Once the aerial assualt is dealt with, the party dashes to the attack on the wall, arriving too late to prevent one of the trolls from scaling it. But Kane and PHUQ-69 smash into it and soon drive it back, and the group manages to prevail against these attackers, too. </p><p></p><p>But it isn't over yet. At the docks, a pair of great lobster-monsters led by kuo-toa have come out of the water and are tearing apart the townsfolk trying to stop them from advancing toward the center of town. The party rushes to this fight, aided by a nearby ballista. Tentacles splash up from the water, grabbing at the retreating 0defenders and pulling them back toward the water. </p><p></p><p>It's a mad scene, but one that is put in order by our heroes' valiant efforts. </p><p></p><p>When the monsters lie slain, our heroes are gasping. “I'm out all of my most powerful spells,” Karl warns. </p><p></p><p>“Me too,” says Shar, “but we're not done yet.” </p><p></p><p>The baying of worgs echoes across the field of battle. </p><p></p><p>Kane clutches at a wound on his thigh, panting for breath. “Aye, let's go. We've dogs to put down.”</p><p></p><p>***</p><p></p><p>When the Battle of Moonstair is finally over, our heroes have been pushed to their utmost, used up all their resources. They have driven themselves to exhaustion, found their limits- and exceeded them. They are victorious. </p><p></p><p>Though not without cause. </p><p></p><p>A number of buildings are gone or burned so badly that they can no longer be used. Worse, nearly thirty of the town's citizens have been killed in the attack. Several others are missing.</p><p></p><p>“But we won,” says P-69. “That's what matters.”</p><p></p><p>Shar shakes her head. “It's not over. I'm pretty sure we didn't kill the troll king, and he doesn't sound like the type to give up easily.”</p><p></p><p>Sepia says, “We need to take the fight to him.”</p><p></p><p>“If only we knew where he was,” Shifty laments. </p><p></p><p>“Well...” Karl smiles. “I think we can find out, as long as we keep at least one troll head. I recently learned the <em>speak with dead</em> ritual...”</p><p></p><p><em><strong>Next Time:</strong></em> Our heroes attack Skalmad's troll warren!</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="the Jester, post: 7592490, member: 1210"] With the information our heroes uncovered at Tscire Nobi, the Delphinite authorities finally have the evidence to shut down the local Tenebrous cult. After all, they have been sacrificing citizens. Unfortunately, neither Quah-Nomag nor anyone of real importance to the cult are caught in the wizards' net; it may even be that Quah-Nomag was the sole authority in the organization, for the rest seem to be mere fanatic thralls. Afterward, General Habrael invites the party to enjoy a residuum tasting before they return home. This proves to be an enjoyable event, albeit one that is bizarre; the notion of adding raw magic to one's food and drink seems to treat the residuum with unreasonably frivolity, as if it could simply be harvested like any other resource. Indeed, that seems to be exactly wha the Delphinite citizens think happens. Over the course of the tasting, there are several more references to the residuum mines, though nobody is willing to tell our heroes where these alleged mines are. [i]I just can't figure it,[/i] Karlinden thinks. [i]Surely there can't actually be a way to mine residuum... can there?[/i] *** Moab stands at attention before his father. “You've done very well, indeed,” the general declares. “Thanks to you, we've made contact with another group of survivors of the Six-Fingered Hand. And thanks to them, we now know about the dangers that the Tenebrous cult represents.” “Thank you, sir!” “It is necessary to follow up on that cult,” Habrael continues. “To continue to investigate them. And since these people intend on doing that, I am going to send you with them.” “Yes, sir!” “You will serve two purposes: first, you will act as our ambassador and agent among them. As such, you will advance our interests in any and all ways that you deem appropriate while you are with them. Second, you will aid them in seeking out this Quah-Nomag and preventing him from achieving his goals, as those seem likely to impact our society. Indeed, he has already cost the lives of a number of our citizens, and as such, I am empowering you to carry out a death sentence against him.” “Yes, sir!” “Excellent.” The two shake hands. “I look forward to your reports.” *** The Delphinate proves an excellent source of rituals. Our heroes linger a few more days in order to learn several. “I grow bored,” Kane grumbles. But before they can depart for home, Shar receives a [i]sending.[/i] She gathers her companions. “We're being called on for help. Moonstair is under attack by a kingdom of trolls.” “A what, now?” P-69 cocks his head. “I'm not aware of any such kingdom,” Karl objects. Several back-and-forth [i]sendings[/i] clears up the situation a little. It appears as though there is a self-declared troll king named Skalmad who is attempting to carve out a new troll realm, calling it Vardar in reference to such a kingdom that existed long ago. He has been gathering his kind for months, perhaps longer, but has only recently begun probing Moonstair's defenses. A group of local heroes had recently forayed out to attempt to dissuade the trolls, but nobody has heard anything from them since. And, as the party has seen, without some kind of heroes, there aren't enough people there to hold off a sustained troll attack. “Sounds risky,” Shifty says. “They're not worth it.” “They're asking us for help,” Shar replies. “Think about it. We can bring them into our own territory if we save them. We can have an outpost on the Feywild.” “That does sound promising...” “Also,” Kane points out, “we can slay many trolls, which is a reward in its own right.” “So we're agreed?” Shar surveys the group. “We'll help?” There is a general murmur of agreement. “In that case,” Karl says, “I can speed our journey up. Unlike when we made our trip south, I now have access to the [i]phantom steed[/i] ritual. It will conjure up magical mounts for us, which will allow us to travel much faster.” *** Moonstair has entered a siege mentality. People are harvesting what crops they can, bringing livestock into the town proper, erecting defensive works, stockpiling ammuntion and oil for the town's defenders- whatever they can do to prepare. Rualiss, the eladrin attorney the party met previously, thanks them effusively for coming to the town's aid. “I don't know what we would have done without you,” he says. “We don't have any real war leaders or the like.” “It's okay.” Shifty grins. “We're quite experienced in battle. Why, our man Kane has even led a mercenary company!” It's an exaggeration, but one that heartens the town's defenders. *** The party rests for two days and nights. For most of them, it's nice to eat and drink stuff that is free of the tang of residuum. For Moab, it's just a reminder that he is away from home again, living for who knows how long with people barely better than savages. Scouts report troll sign less than two miles out of the town. It's clear the attack is coming; the only question is, when? *** When it does come, it's a sudden mass of airborn enemies wyverns and a manticore ridden by a troglodyte wearing fancy armor made of shells and stones netted together. Our heroes speed to meet them where they land and begin to wreak havoc even as another group, this one including strangely pale trolls, an ogre, and several weird monsters with but a single huge eye, attacks the town's walls. Yet more monsters attempt to storm Moonstair's docks, and another band attacks from the far side- a troll leading a pack of worgs. The party brings their full force against the aerial assault. The monsters are deadly; the poison on the tails of the wyverns is severe, and the manticore and its rider work together as a deadly team. Pinioned between the manticore's spikes, the troglodyte's javelins, and the stings of the wyverns, Kane is taken out of the fight for a few moments before Shar and Shifty can restore him, but then Moab manages to force the enemies into a perfect formation for Karl's [i]fireball[/i] and [i]flame burst.[/i] Meanwhile, the folk of Moonstair do their best to defend themselves against the other attacks. Columns of smoke begin to rise where the fire necessary to combat trolls spills onto buildings, barrels, wagons. Once the aerial assualt is dealt with, the party dashes to the attack on the wall, arriving too late to prevent one of the trolls from scaling it. But Kane and PHUQ-69 smash into it and soon drive it back, and the group manages to prevail against these attackers, too. But it isn't over yet. At the docks, a pair of great lobster-monsters led by kuo-toa have come out of the water and are tearing apart the townsfolk trying to stop them from advancing toward the center of town. The party rushes to this fight, aided by a nearby ballista. Tentacles splash up from the water, grabbing at the retreating 0defenders and pulling them back toward the water. It's a mad scene, but one that is put in order by our heroes' valiant efforts. When the monsters lie slain, our heroes are gasping. “I'm out all of my most powerful spells,” Karl warns. “Me too,” says Shar, “but we're not done yet.” The baying of worgs echoes across the field of battle. Kane clutches at a wound on his thigh, panting for breath. “Aye, let's go. We've dogs to put down.” *** When the Battle of Moonstair is finally over, our heroes have been pushed to their utmost, used up all their resources. They have driven themselves to exhaustion, found their limits- and exceeded them. They are victorious. Though not without cause. A number of buildings are gone or burned so badly that they can no longer be used. Worse, nearly thirty of the town's citizens have been killed in the attack. Several others are missing. “But we won,” says P-69. “That's what matters.” Shar shakes her head. “It's not over. I'm pretty sure we didn't kill the troll king, and he doesn't sound like the type to give up easily.” Sepia says, “We need to take the fight to him.” “If only we knew where he was,” Shifty laments. “Well...” Karl smiles. “I think we can find out, as long as we keep at least one troll head. I recently learned the [i]speak with dead[/i] ritual...” [i][b]Next Time:[/b][/i][b][/b] Our heroes attack Skalmad's troll warren! [/QUOTE]
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