Six From Gate Pass - Chapter 2: The Indomitable Fire Forest of Innenotdar

[funkmamagoat]

After thinking for a few minutes, Kirio relays the following to the others...
Anyariel was a hero of Innenotdar, a holy warrior who died only a few years before the forest caught fire. She was said to be a friend of the forest's fey, blessed by the forest itself, and many times drove darkness from Innenotdar's borders with her magic sword. Anyariel wielded a greatsword carved of wood, which she used to defeat many monsters, including a blackguard from Ragesia and a rampaging golem of white clay.

Forty years ago, Innenotdar was home to an elvish people who wanted to remain neutral in the conflict between Ragesia and Shahalesti. Emperor Coaltongue has recently conquered Gate Pass and was poised to invade Shahalesti. Given the proximity of Innenotdar to the warring countries, it was a tempting strategic target to both the Emperor of Ragesia and King Shaaladel of Shahalesti. Innenotdar was unwilling to ally with either power. One day fires broke out in the forest and resisted dousing. Elves fled the burning woods in droves, many of them settling in ghettos in Gate Pass

 

[funkmamagoat]

After thinking for a few minutes, Kirio relays the following to the others...
Anyariel was a hero of Innenotdar, a holy warrior who died only a few years before the forest caught fire. She was said to be a friend of the forest's fey, blessed by the forest itself, and many times drove darkness from Innenotdar's borders with her magic sword. Anyariel wielded a greatsword carved of wood, which she used to defeat many monsters, including a blackguard from Ragesia and a rampaging golem of white clay.

Forty years ago, Innenotdar was home to an elvish people who wanted to remain neutral in the conflict between Ragesia and Shahalesti. Emperor Coaltongue has recently conquered Gate Pass and was poised to invade Shahalesti. Given the proximity of Innenotdar to the warring countries, it was a tempting strategic target to both the Emperor of Ragesia and King Shaaladel of Shahalesti. Innenotdar was unwilling to ally with either power. One day fires broke out in the forest and resisted dousing. Elves fled the burning woods in droves, many of them settling in ghettos in Gate Pass

 

[Adjuntive]

Alric listens to Kirio's translation of the journal and his explanation of the history behind it thoughtfully.

"So, Shahalesti is responsible for the burning of the forest. And it speaks of something upstream that would bring them to justice. Is this significant to us? It is in the opposite direction from the forty-tongues however."

 

[The Bashar]

Hrimr ponders the words of Kirio.

"I wonder if it was the Shahalesti Elves or the Ragesians that started this fire? I know the Elves of Innenotdar weren't thought of highly by their cousins in Shahalesti. Take for example the architecture of this tower. It's a mix of Dwarven stoneshaping methods with Elvish aesthetics. The leaders of Shahalesti were not fond of the design, felt is was a little too similar to the Drow for their tastes. Choosing to be neutral in the conflict probably didn't help them either.

I think we should check out the rest of the tower. It may still hold some secrets to what is going on here. But the plot thickens..."

 

[fromage67]

Lars locks the door downstairs and bounds up the stairs to join the others. While the others discuss the book, he starts to cautiously go up to the next level, loaded crossbow in hand.

 

[Gregor]

Lars, the third floor is the highest floor in the tower and the room is bare of furniture, decorations or possessions. A wooden door hangs open to a small pantry where you can see the dried-up remains of foodstuffs that were left behind.

 

[Gregor]

Torrent comes up to join all of you and noticing that the third floor is empty, she begins to haul everyone's packs and equipment up to the top floor. As she passes most of you on the second floor she smiles and says: "No sense sleeping in front of a door if it gets smashed in!"

When she finishes, she removes her armor and refills everyone's waterskins while muttering about how badly she smells and lovely a cool a bath would be. She then comes down in her sweat stained tunic and joins the conversation on the second floor.

"Indeed the plot does thicken Hrimr. Why don't we go over what we know and see if we can decide on our next course of action. We need to get out of this forest, I think that is the primary goal. But we're hampered by a devil who desires our stolen intelligence and some sort of entity that apparently controls or is the forest fire. We have to work towards freeing this entity or it'll never let us out of here. It wants us to silence forty tongues or something like that near the lake which we can assume is down river. Now we've come across some information about a shrine and yet something else up river. I'm at a loss. What do people want to investigate first?"

 

[Adjuntive]

"Very succinct Torrent. Though I wish to fulfill the contract we have with you, we seem to have entered a contract with this entity that calls itself Innenotdar. Since it may be safe to assume that it is indeed capable of disallowing our passing through the forest, my vote is we seek the forty-tongues forthwith... post rest and respite in this tower of course."

Alric takes a swig of water then continues, "Although I am curious of this 'justice' the journal speaks of lying up-river. If it turns out to be leverage against one of the great powers in this conflict, I would be interested in learning of it before we vacate the forest."

 

[funkmamagoat]

Kirio sits down and thinks for a bit as the others talk...

I'm at a loss. What do people want to investigate first?"

Kirio looks up at Torrent "Well, I think you're right, we need to solve this riddle if we are to leave this intolerable place alive and sane. Dying may in fact be the least of our worries given what we have seen today."

"The lake the entity mentioned could likely be the "mouth of the White River" this Bhurisrava mentions, and he seems to have hidden something there. I think ultimately we will need to go there. I vote we try and find this Shrine to Anyariel first however, her power was central to this place, and we will not have a complete picture without greater understanding of her place in all this.

Bhurisrava believed Shahalesti to blame, but both powers had a motive to eliminate a neutral road block, and I'm tempted to believe Ragesia had more to gain than my homeland.

Anyhow, we should seek out the shrine; not until we rest a bit however. I'm still a bit worse for ware, and we could all use a bit of rest away from the flames no?"

Having said his peace, Kirio looks himself over once again and shakes his head at the competing wounds that still plague him, burns on one side and frost bite up his arm... He takes a deep breath, and hums three soft notes as he slowly exhales. You notice a barely glowing green mist emanate from his nose as he exhales.

OOC: never mind that pathetic roll... meant for the entity we promised to help... CLW on self.

 

[The Bashar]

"We should scout the area. If we want to go up river we will have to find a path that isn't in flames. Unless we try to go up the river, but I have no skill in making boats."

Hrimr pauses for a moment and considers the map of the town.

"The town is close by, maybe this shrine is there? I think we should look around the town first."