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Credmoore Play by Post

Warren: we did say before we left the area w/ the zombies that we wanted to warn any nearby settlements of the dangers. Hopefully we at least did that before setting out and coming to this fork in the road.


Yes yes, warn the townspeople of my plans, ruin my fun. Got it. I assume you met a traveler or two on the way and spread the word.
 

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"To the southeast lay the Lorwood - a place rife with the darkest energies of the Feywild. 200 years ago, the ancestors of my father's clan entered the Lorwood with elves of the Dolvan kingdom and vanquished the Fomorian lich Yaga. Ever since, Lorvest spears have guarded the entrance to the valley. If we take this road, the good news is that we can resupply with the clansmen. The bad news is that we will have to make our way through the entire valley."

During the course of the conversation, Bouda explains:
-The thick underbrush will slow us down considerably so we'll need to spend one night in the Lorwood.
-The elders say that the caves underground hold portals to the Feydark, so we can't be caught in the open at night.
-Young Lorvest warriors have to survive one night at the inner post on their own, so we can camp there.
-After the defeat of Yaga, the Lorvest clan adopted elven naming conventions as their ties to the Dolvan elves deepened.
 

"Given the opportunity to find allies and expert knowledge of the area vs. passing through a largely unknown area, I believe braving the Lorwood is our better option. I wonder what Moon Wolf thought as he came to this very same fork...."
 


Sorry gents, the time change ninja kicked me. I will have a nice juicy post worked up for a bit later today and we will get this show on the road
 

Off to see the Elves

You have decided to seek the clansmen of Bouda's father in the Lorwood, on your route to the ancient lair of the Green Dragon in pursuit of Moonwolf and also of the Warrior Golden Eagle.

Though the road looks quite wild, soon you spot subtle signs of its caretakers, the rangers of Lorvest. With Bouda's knowledge of their traditions, it is easy to spot their way-signs and warnings and you steer clear of the typical danger of the wilds.

Bouda: How did your fathers clan feel about you when you left? What kind of welcome do you expect? Is it typical for your fathers culture to leave orphans to a church or would more often the children be raised by other members of the clan? I assume there are elves stationed at the entrance and exits of the valley, and that the real danger lies in the middle on the night you must camp within its confines.

Xaal, how do you feel about elves? Eladrin? How do they feel about you?


* You both are aware that the major threat in this area is the Val' Quantora or "Mist that Crawls" it is a dark magical creation of the Lich Yaga that despite the elves best efforts has avoided destruction. It has elements of Fey, Shadow, and Undead. Though neither of you have faced it before, you know that it appears in the night and that those who look upon it see death, decay, and madness.
 

I will be back on track toward a goal of a post/day, [with a more likely 4-5 posts per week]. Typically you should see my posts around this time.
 

Historically, Tieflings and Elves have little common background. Over the centuries, they of course have come into contact with each other in small numbers leaving no specific hatreds or loves behind. The Eladrin, however, have, for reasons not wholly understood, a strange penchant for Tieflings, amounting to burdensome curiosity and incessant questions regarding our past, our arrival on Oerth, and <not for Bouda's eyes/ears - for DM only>
the Infernal Injunction.

GM: if you use the 'SPOILER' tag, it creates a black bar over black text that can be read by highlighting ....................... ^^^^^^^


Xaal personally has no specific feelings toward either race. He has met a goodly few elves and there is an Eladrin High Knight at the South Tower with whom he has regular meals.
 
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After the Blackthorn War, the plague hit the human camp at High Rock very hard. Normally there are no orphans among the Lorvest people, but not many clansmen survived. Bouda and her siblings were scattered to the winds like the rest of the refugees from High Rock. The clansmen guarding the Lorwood are from Lorvest camps all over Credmoore and the elves are from the Dovlan Kingdom on the neighboring island. The clansmen will likely be glad to see a survivor from High Rock and the elves will be curious to see just how "elven" Bouda is. Half-elves are a living embodiment of the alliance and are expected by both peoples to keep the bonds strong. (Which might explain their talent for diplomacy.)

Warren: As for your assumptions about the danger that the Lorwood poses, that's pretty much what I was thinking.
 

You arrive at the entrance camp just as the sun starts to dip below the horizon, you are met, as expected, by the elves guarding the entrance to the valley.

Camp probably doesn't do this area justice, village is probably more accurate, but all of the residents are trained warriors. It is layed out in standard elven design, those that are able find their housing in the trees, there are a fair number of tents as well. A nearby hill has been excavated to house the largest building, a combined inn, taphouse, meeting hall, general store it is simply referred to as "The Hill".

Everything is at once inviting and easily defensible, very much the style of elves.

Bouda's expectations of warmth and high regard are met, indeed exceeded. Fewer even that Bouda had been led to believe escaped High Rock, and apparently many that did have since fallen to illness and plague. They seem to have mixed feelings, they respect your knowledge of the elf culture, and certainly value your experience outside it but there is an underlying current that seems sad or regretful, likely just the being reminded of Highrock.

Xaal's status as a Knight of a respected order keeps dealings with the elves civil, they clearly do not have much experience with Tieflings. Some cast you glances that are clearly curious, but none strike up with incessant questioning that you have come to associate with Eladrin. Nobody is rude, or in anyway less than polite but you are clearly an outsider.

You are able to resupply here, and find space in the hill easily enough the food is simple but well prepared. You hear many tales of the Mist that Crawls and the other dangers of the area. You are able to confirm also that Moonwolf did indeed pass through just a couple of days ago. Like Halfelves, Mul are prized for their ability to bridge the gap between other species and the dwarves.

Bouda, the guard captain, Tilvanus Silverleaf pulls you aside and presents you with a battered teak box, it was made with great care by someone of great talent but the box itself is a plan thing with no adornment. Inside wrapped in oil cloth is a longsword that has clearly seen better days. Its blade had been discolored by heat, and bears many nicks along its edge. Its style is a mix of the flowing elvish blades without cross guard, and the straight longswords of humans. The handle has been wrapped with what was once finely tooled leather but is now charred and cracked.

"We found this in the rubble after High Rock. It must have been burned in one of the plague pyres. It called to me, I don't know why. I have kept it ever since in this case waiting for something. Tonight I realized I was waiting for a survivor to claim it. It belongs to you, it always has." The guard captain gets that same sadness that you have noticed amongst so many in your presence. "Use it well", with that he turns and leaves the box in your hands.

The blade seems familiar to you, though you do not recall seeing it before. You find yourself drawn to the blade, and without conscious thought your fingers brush along its length, wanting to feel its steel and yet afraid it might break.

The sword reacts to your touch, in fact it seems to repair itself somewhat, the blade while still soot blackened, looses the heat discoloration and the grip's leather softens. It appears now as a serviceable if well worn item.
[+1 vigilant blade that acts as a magical implement for Cleric Powers.]

If there is anything else you would like to accomplish in town, please post before Monday Evening.
 

Into the Woods

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