[FR] Heroes of the Vilhon Reach II (updated 3/6!)

[Broccli_Head]

Heroes...

17 Ches 1373, Year of Rogue Dragons: Grim's Day Out

Grim did not want to stay cooped up in the High Tower. Neither did Meliane. They agreed to take a day to go to town. The halfling wanted to get a replacement for the cloak that had been destroyed in the Valley of Storms and Mel wanted to visit the temple to Eldath. Ellysidell, ever watchful of the weaker members of the party, decided to accompany the pair. He also wanted to make sure that they stayed out of trouble. Benito sat in cloister preparing healing scrolls and Kirin was in intense negotiations to get money for the mechas that the Heroes had discovered. Soulies, also feeling stir crazy in the castle, decided to go to town as well, posing as Meliane's animal companion so as to not arouse too much suspicion...

The companions traveled down the well-guarded path that led from the High Tower to the High Town, the part of Iriaebor that lay on the tor overlooking the Chionthar. Grim spied the shop he had seen when they had arrived and made a bee-line towards it. He entered the Well-dressed Wizard while the others waited outside. Robes and cloaks and staves of all shapes and sizes hung on racks and bars all throughout the shop.

Perfect, thought the halfling as he spied a smallish cloak made of non-glossy black material.

Grim concluded his business quickly and exited, excited that his order would be ready the next day. Meliane then began leading the party towards the Silent Hall, a temple to Eldath at the end of the High Town. Their peaceful walk was interrupted by a shouting match between two big, burly fighting types. Grim took in the situation as he blended into the crowd taking advantage of the shadows formed from market stalls and fruit carts in the busy street.

"How dare you interrupt my breakfast, whelp!" shouted a big man, over 7 feet tall in black armor wielding a huge, blackened, metal maul.

Grim noticed that the symbol of a black talon on a red field on that man matched the symbol of the flags flying on a basalt fortress that they stood right outside. The rogue also saw the gleam of armor from archers behind battlements with bows ready. The other man, this one also large, but covered with distinct large, black feathers stammered something about vengeance and charged with a battle axe. He missed severely and the maul-wielder struck him two times within the span of heartbeats. A third swipe to trip up the axe-wielder missed. Grim slapped his forehead as he saw Meliane and her pet wolverine as well as Ellysidell ready to meddle in affairs not their own. Another individual, a man dressed in once fine, but now tattered robes also caught his attention.

Forest brother, beware of archers from the fortress...and a spellcaster! Grim sent to the wild elf.

The raven-feathered man was clearly outmatched. Before more combat could take place, Meliane stepped in. Ellysidell, hand on the hilt of his falchion, watched her back. Grim missed the exact details of the exchange--something about bringing the "full wrath of the Emerald Enclave"-- but the Black Talon backed down. As he strode with disdain back through the portcullis of the fortress, he taunted the raven-warrior. Meliane also threw the 7-foot man a bag of gold.

"Typical Uthgardt! Hiding behind the skirts of his women."

AND

"Hope those love taps sting for a while. No one challenges Taurgosz "TenHammer" Khosann and gets away for free!"

The last quip was given some emphasis with Tenhammer beating his chest. The Uthgardt was named Udin of the Raven Clan. Apparently, the Black Talons had raided his village way in the North some time within the past year. He was going right to the source, but after healing himself and accepting the healing of the druidess, he mused that revenge would have to wait.

Grim hung back as the group, with the addition of the lost and clueless barbarian continued to the Silent Hall. The curious mage followed. Silent Hall was Grim's kind of place. It was quiet. The grove of Eldath was exquisite and the High Priestess Luaqqa, who had a green hue to her skin, spoke to them in a whisper. Meliane informed her of the events of their journey from Westgate up to that point while Ellysidell and an annoyed Grim had to escort Udin, Soulies, and the other hanger-on from the temple as they broke the silence etiquette and Soulies almost triggered several wards.

Grim wanted to go back to Bron's castle. It seemed that there was no peace. When they arrived and without incident, they encountered Benito and Khirin planning for the sale of the mechas. Khirin looked curiously at the new people.

Khirin grunted to himself and thought, more leeches to sap the wealth.

Benito sighed...more fools to protect...

He looked to the Northwest and muttered a quick prayer to Tyr for guidance and victory. Somewhere, the paladin of Ilmater suffered more than he could imagine and beyond that their old companion Mourn was the prisoner of bandits. The cleric refused to let his eyes wander south. He did not want to dwell on the recent, brutal past.

Aris, I wish you had not fallen....

 

[Broccli_Head]

Stormwolves prelude...

From the diaries of High Priestess Myrie Evendar, Temple of Tymora, Westgate

7 Ches, Year of Rogue Dragons

Last night, I awoke to an explosion that rocked the port. Strange forces were at work in this accursed city. I had just had a dream. Fire and water. It was a strange dream in which I saw wolves being engulfed by a dark and malignant shadow, and having fire and smoke swallow them in turn. Then a primordial swirl sent dark and evil things to tear at this pack of wolves, separating them. I saw the hand of the goddess throw the dice. It was their Fate. One half of the pack left after two were felled, and the others succumbed to fire and darkness. A howl broke forth out and out of the dark waters lept three wolves, huge like no others I had seen before, and lightning and thunder followed their wake. The fur of the first one was yellow-white, bleached, the color of lightning; the second a blood red, the third a metallic color akin to mithral. I think that the goddess was telling me that these were the wolves that had died. The ones I thought had been consumed by fire and water.

Then she said, “The Stormwolves are coming….”,

That’s when I awoke. Mere breaths after a knock came to my door

“Mistress! Mistress!! “, I heard Sandreene’s voice yelling, “Come quick there are strange visitors this night.”

And they weren’t vampires!

 

[Broccli_Head]

Stormwolves!

A battle, somewhere west of Westgate: 14 Ches, Year of Rogue Dragons

Jhavan the Grey spied something not right on the road ahead. It looked like something hastily buried . He stopped the carriage that held the prisoner inside and dismounted from his horse to investigate. Nothing appeared out of the ordinary. The animals of the forest were still making normal noises for early evening. He was confident that absolutely no one knew about the drugged-up, looser-of-a-prisoner he was escorting away from the city. He probed the ground.

As Jhavan started to uncover what now looked like a bag, he had the odd thought of an ambush. He scanned around and then his eyes fell upon a single-cold cold eye staring back at him. Before he could say anything to the rest of the caravan it was too late. They were upon him.

“Khiron, now!!!” was all he heard , and an arrow grazed his leg.

He turned around to see more than ¾ of his men stunned and staring aimlessly. Sorcery! he thought, but Jhavan was not without his own surprises. The scout smiled as a fireball came speeding from the sky falling onto the side of the road from were the arrow came. He hoped it would fry the ambushers.

How dare they! Well, who ever it is they’re in trouble now.

He had a good battle mage that was flying above laying down the hurt. His thoughts were soon interrupted by a white-haired warrior with a patch covering one eye. Wielding a crackling scimitar this man came somersaulting over the burning brush to charge at him, and then slash him before he could make a move. In the twillight he could make out his opponent now. It was a drow!

Is this the legendary Driz’zt Do’Urden coming to take me out?! He gulped.

Soon he could see his remaining men being attacked by a red-haired woman from horseback. She charged from the right flank.

Alias of the Azure Bonds..couldn't be?No way, but these guys are good he thought, real good.

But his ace was the battle mage who now hovered above them. She cast another spell. A web and then another fireball held and burned this crazed warrior, the one the drow addressed as Khiron who still skulked in the burning brush. He wielded a great sword. The blade and his flailing arms and legs tore through the magical strands and flaming debris like they weren’t even there. Then he began wading through his men, even the poor old drover, with wild abandon. He did not slow down. The battle mage was soon hit by several bolts of energy and Jhavan saw that the attackers also had magical support. A smug smile crept over the scout. Another fireball was unleashed.

BOOM! It hurled their mageling back and staggered him. He was still alive, but barely.

“Young one!” yelled the lightning-haired warrior, without emotion , “Finish her."

The young , charred sorcerer stood back up and unleashed a great bolt of white fire from his hands. Jhavan saw his battle mage fall down into a smoldering heap of charred bones.

The scout thought to himself, I cannot win this encounter and this crazed drow is going to finish me with his lightning scimitar.

So Jhavan went invisible , hoping to strike at his attacker or escape. Then he saw another explosion, this one of golden glitter. It fell everywhere around him covering him, but not blinding him. He now knew that it was time to escape. He hoped he could pull it off. He engaged the lightning -haired drow and tried to disarm him but he could not. The one-eyed drow beat back the maneuver, and he was cut deeply for it. Jhavan, had to keep that crackling blade away from him. Again he tried to win past his attacker's defenses and was defeated. Luck--an instinctive duck-- prevented him from suffering another hack, but he also knew that another deep cut and the drow would gut him like a fish. He saw his chance and with a quick flick of his wrist with his own scimitar followed by a sweep of his legs he sent the drow's shock scimitar to the ground. Jhavan took off. The sound of the red-haired woman and crazed warrior slicing through his men rang in his ears. Damn his men and his charge! It was about survival now! Mask granted him stealth and speed and endurance. Soon Jhavan had peace and his drow tracker gave up for the moment, but he also had a sinking feeling that they would finish up at the road and soon follow. He did not relish the prospect of being hunted. He paused to catch his breath and then continued to move, hoping that night would cover his tracks.

===============================

“Valeria, wait we must talk,” said Jenner.

It was still hard to think of him by that name. The two were conversing after the so-far successful extraction of the strange little man. He was still severely drugged. Let the priests sort that one out. Valeria wiped the glitterdust from her eyes, and scanned the aftermath of a brief and bloody battle. They had been efficient.

“Khiron, you and the priestess dispose the bodies and secure our little friend,” continued Jenner. “Valeria you , the Interrogator , and I shall chase down our quarry and with his help we can cripple one of two houses that plague the Obaskyr line. This is a target of opportunity one we cannot pass up. We now possess inside information. This will be the perfect chance to cause dissension and sow some of our own discord and set our enemies against each other for a time. This will be a big enough of distraction to accomplish our goals … all of them , including the other rescue.”

Was he hinting at someone close to her?

“Jenner,” she replied in a cool,even toned voice. “If I did not know you better I would say you are positively evil, much more akin to the race you resemble now. “

The tall red-haired warrior looked at the lightning-haired man , known now to her as Jenner Stormwolf and thought how drow-like her companion looked. Maybe it was the eye patch he now wore that made him look more sinister. He had always had a mean streak. Now he just looked like a villain. She shuddered involuntarily… but not just because of Jenner's appearance.

Changes had happened and were happening. The logic she had always appreciated in her companion had now become colder and sharper. She noticed the change in herself as well-- less emotions, more action in thought. And what could be said for the other friend the one that had carried her lifeless body from the cursed waters of the harbor? Khiron, he called himself now, and he seemed more blood thirsty. He was no longer the contemplatative warrior who had first appeared more like a sage than a fighter. Now he craved action. It almost consumed him. What had Tymora, his patron goddess, done to him?

They had all changed since coming out of the water and through the pain of recovery and the cards....

Some more than others, she thought.

She could not escape the logic of Jenner's proposal and the irony of it all. Yes, she liked the idea of starting a war. Especially between two of the most infamous guilds in all Faerun.

“Stormwolf, I like you better as my friend than my enemy. You think like a politician…or a drow,” added the red-haired warrior woman smiling.

“Then we are agreed in our course. Excellent....” replied the one eyed warrior. “Father, I guess all those lessons at court have paid off,” mused the Stormwolf out loud.

 

[Malachai_rose]

huh ?

So let me see if I understand this correctly. The characters who died apparently have come back as 'uber' underground heroes, kind of like a midieval A-Team. Thwarting evil and retiring to their hideout at the end of the day...

Now lets take the surviving Heores, pursued beaten thwarted killed (few more pk's comin down the pipe soon) and hated by the general populace... hmm... Driven to the brink of madness (recent events) Benito is going to go nuclear on some priestess of Llavatar while trying to think of the most honorable way to bury the last of his friends... this is the partys reward for living, lol, thats just evil man

Gotta say though I liked the posts and truthfully the bit about the 'stormwolf' heh, that's kinda cool and should the remaining 3 people survive it might be interesting to see what happens. Well good job Broc, and I look forward to seeing how you relate the events of last weeks sessions

Malachai 'Benito' Rose

 

[Broccli_Head]

another excerpt....

From the archive of Twilight Hall, Berdusk. Year of Rogue Dragons, 1st quarter

Field Agent Report:

Location: Turmish

Agent: Gareth Oakenbow

Why did I agree to this! I cannot believe I am actually taking up inventory! Blast! May Mielikki turn me into a city dweller, wait …sigh… that’s already been done. Well, look at it this way Gareth Oakenbow, you could be still roasting over a pit of coals. You owe a life debt. Well, it is a good thing I suppose. I do like teaching the youngsters , their woodlore, tracking and some weapon craft. It keeps these street urchins from terrorizing the customers. I do admit it is a good plan to get cheap labor and get these little starving street rats off the streets, and I do believe that overall their benefactor has a good heart even though he hides it under a gruff, and I really do mean really gruff exterior. You have to dig deep to get to that one’s heart. But I’ve seen his soft side. Who else could combine pragmatic business sense and hide a charitable heart beneath a cold exterior. After all, I do get paid well to look after the place and explore the nearby woods and forests I do so love, and with children no less. Though I think that these Turmites really need all the help they can get with conservation. I really do not have to do much, just come in work a little. Not a bad gig really.

The place is managed by some very experienced staff. I am just merely a figurehead, the one in charge of public relations. As if that is not enough, this place is really well liked and looked after. You have many Holy Justices and other Tyrites frequent here and also I do believe ,but what can never tell, that there are I druids of the Emerald Enclave watching over the place. Would you believe they pose as landscapers? The renovators for this Grand Inn/Tavern had an unusual green thumb, if you know what I mean. I feel a strange sense of comfort in this place and it feels like sleeping in the Guthmere forest.

I have noticed increased activity with merchants frequenting here, it is good for business. But I do believe word of mouth travels quickly. This is the place to also make good business contacts. Merchants all have a network, and Aris CloudDancer, Cloudancer Outfitters, is no different. He is an unusually very thorough fellow, if a bit strange for a half-elf, but we do not share much in common except for our mutual calling to our Mistress of the Woods. His business acumen is good. He delegates very well, because the man is just simply abrasive. Being with him is like being with a Mountain dwarf. Still he and his companions did save my life and all he asked of me was to check in from time to time, work when I had reason , teach the ways of woodlore to the children that he had gathered.

I must admit after losing the rest of my party I am not to keen on going it alone, and I am for now not restless. Perhaps I have found a good calling. A place where I belong.

Imagine! I am the one that gets rescued and after barely being acquainted with the man, he leaves me here to look out for his place. When asked why, He merely shrugged and said “You owe me.” The cleric , Benito Maltos is his name I believe. He is a good one. Too good if you catch my mind. The young cleric is infectious with his sense of Justice and an Odd pairing with those two (Aris and Benito). Benito, simply told me that The Heroes of the Vilhon Reach believes in the goodness of their newfound friend… Me. There is another ranger who stops in from time to time with exotic spices. I believe his name is Jhazad. Next time he comes, I may have to go back to the Shadowwood and visit. I am concerned about the movement of troops from Hlondeth along the western Turmish border that he told me about. He also told me many times the Adventure of the Blue Snails . So, this is how our Mistress pulled in Aris CloudDancer. The Heroes , I sense do the will of the gods. Fate has a strange sense of humor. What is that saying… Oh yes I remember. “We have no fate but the fate we are given.” Only a Tethyrian half-elf could say something like that.

Well for now I do suspect an agenda here, especially with this place and the kids, but I’m not sure. I find no evil with these “Heroes”. Until my next report.

Gareth Oakenbow

 

[Malachai_rose]

cool

Heh, thats kinda cool I had forgotten about the elven ranger we rescued that Aris left in Alaghon to look after the inn. Kind of cool to see that at least things at home are good

 

[Broccli_Head]

Heroes...

with a little help from malachai_rose!

21 Ches, 1373 Year of Rogue Dragons: The Darkest Hour, part I


When I left the Temple in Alaghon on that fateful morning many months ago I wanted to help uphold the precepts of the god that had been like a father to me. I wanted to give something back. At the time, I had no notions of leaving Alaghon nor did I have any idea as to how I would accomplish this desire to bring justice to the wicked and protect those that couldn't protect themselves.

Then I met the man that would change my life... Aris Clouddancer. He was a rather rude and strang fellow yet, I Benito was naive and believed that it was fate...Tyr's will. As the months passed we became as brothers. Aris and the other fledling companions, Ellysidell, Nosr, and Mourn, gave me something I had never had before... a sense of belonging. In the temple I was never allowed to socialize witht the other boys my age. Instead I was always driven to focus on his studies by Gipetto and the other devoted. I never understood it then. Now I do...sometimes. Salazar, do you think they would have ostrcized me?

As the weeks and months passed my sense of purpose and belonging continued to grow. Time and time again we, The Heroes defeated evil and helped the weak... We were invincible. We even called ourselves The Heroes of the Vilhon Reach. Even when Mourn died he came back. He ran Aris' inn for us,and even after death his friendship stood firm. I dismissed thoughts of defeat from my mind as we headed back to Khundrakar. I must confess that in the dark of the abandoned mines I felt my heart grow heavy with dread yet upon our victorious exit from the mountain again I felt invincible and encouraged by Tyr. We had defeated evil.The good guys had won yet again.

We even thwarted the Zhentarim's invasion plans for Alaghon and emerged victorious. Tyr was with me then, also. When Milo died I was saddened,but I remember telling myself that there would be casualties in the war against the darkness and brushed it away, even though Thazar-de had escaped. Indeed the core group of friends still stood firm as if protected by Tyr himself.

Then came Westgate. Everything changed here. When I realized that Scourge might be Dorthan I saw it as another sign that Tyr's hand had guided us to this place to right the evils of injustice once again. Yet it was not to be ... In Westgate I found myself in a place where evil reigned supreme and even the followers of the God of justice lived hidden inside of a cold stone fortress. When I came to the Abbey with Nosrs' body, my heart was heavy, but I felt that with Tyr's help my friend would be alright and then we would return to the Wave of Destiny where Aris would devise a plan to thwart this new evil...

No, Tyr. You did not allow that to happen! Aris and Variak and Alberia were all gone... dead or missing. This was to be our great moment. We had found Dorthan Lhal !!! A hero of the faith and father of Alberia. It seemed cruel that on the eve of recovering Dorthan from the clutches of evil that his daughter should die on a boat in that dirty little city.

It had hapened that way... When we left Westgate it was not in victory but as cowards running into the night. Without Aris, I feel lost. So much changed in those short two days spent in Westgate. It was if our mandate from Tyr had been revoked. Five of our number were either dead or lost to the cause. The only thing left is to find Mourn and then regroup. Should I go after Aris, then?

Last night was the last straw. Ell was taken from me, and for some reason...his soul does not respond.


Benito wept and fought against the raging storms that built within himslef crying out for blood and vengeance. He reached for the bottle again but stopped as the Flaming Falchion of Ellysidell winked on and off...

 

[Malachai_rose]

Ell...

Thats right... Ellysedell is dead <sigh> Only question that remains is what are the last 2 friends (Benito and Grim) gonna do about it. Well stay tuned cause Broc's only one post from being caught up and were playin Sunday, so cross your fingers Also he will post what happened, I think hes doin the post in a flashback, ie Benito gettin hammered at the bar starts recollecting what went wrong, heh.

 

[Broccli_Head]

preview...

great game last sunday!

Have Ilmater and Tyr heard the cries of the Heroes?
How do they respond?
How do the Heroes repond to their response?
How much damage can a celestial do?
How about a noble efreeti assassin?


Stay tuned, true believers!

 

[Malachai_rose]

...

roflmao, just hurry up and post already If anyone still keeps up with the story let me just say it only gets... well to be honest I don't know what it gets but it does get somethin real soon, lol. And let me just say it's not what you expect.. or at least it wasn't what I was expecting when we geared up to play sunday, heh. As always any thoughts coments or questions are welcomed and encouraged becasue hey how are we gonna make the story more enjoyable without input...

Plus I could really use some advice on what Benito and Grim should do... do we go rambo and charge into certian death to take the evil priestess that slayed Ellysedell out ? Do we try to compose ourselves and see what happens, Do we say 'forget the evil priestess this sucks I'm outta here' ? heh, honestly me and Grims player were lookin at the rambo option... it made sense for our characters (we think) that being overcome with grief they would just go balls to the wall and go for it.. Well let me know what yall think.