Campaign: Sundered Throne (( IC thread ))

[HEEGZ]

* Word spreads rapidly among those traveling north from Nashkel about a recent attack beneath the walls of the walled town. Amnish patrols have been increased, yet gnoll warbands and other monsters are rampaging freely to the north of the Cloud Peaks. Caravans from the south are now heavily armed and reinforced by extra guards. Rumors warn travelers about the dangers of the road south of Beregost. Trade seems largely unaffected, but merchants grumble about the possibility of having to raise the prices on their goods to accommodate the increased costs of transporting them over land. *

(( Please use the BG forum for OOC posts. If you must speak OOC, use (( )) like I have done here. This thread should be kept IC, and I would prefer the use of italics and asterisks to offset emoting from dialog, just like we do in game. The purpose of this thread is to communicate rumors and IC events between players and DMs for the Sundered Throne campaign. Campaign details can be found here: http://www.alandfaraway.org/phpBB3/view ... 29#p605429 ))

[Ithildur]

Aglaril mulled over the day's developments as he walked alone; though it was a long journey back north by foot, it would afford him time to ponder. Aside from the strange tale from the halfling Susana, the heated conversation he had with Deva was troubling him.

Reluctantly, he forced himself to turn his thoughts back to the discovery of the attacked caravan, and the rumblings he'd been hearing as he traveled north from Nashkel. Ordinary gnolls and their ilk would be no match for the Bladesinger's skills in direct combat, but Aglaril could not help wonder at what possible machinations might lie behind the increased humanoid activity... though a part of him wondered if he was placing too much weight on the paladin Majeed's ambiguous visions.

Still, better prepared than caught off guard, thought the Elf. Aglaril hoped to hear from the merchant he'd met at the Three Kegs soon, even as he began planning the use of a divination or two, just in case...

[oldgrayrogue]

Hearing the rumors of Gnolls attacking caravans South of Beregost, the ranger set out towards Nashkel immediately. He saw no signs of any attack and free trade moved across the roads, but the rumors were spreading among the wagoneers and mercenaries he encountered along the way. Heading back towards Baldur's Gate, he came across the remains of a large caravan just North of the Lion's Cross. Three bodies lay slaughtered among the broken crates and wagons. Sacks of grain lay strewn across the grass, with stacked and broken crates everywhere. Lash could not help but notice that there were too many crates for the number of wagons present. However, between the rain and the many trampled tracks he could make no sense of whether more wagons had been taken from the site.

Lash scouted first North towards the Friendly Arms, entering the Cloakwood there in search of any sizable force that could be responsible for the attack. He encountered only a few goblins. He made his way back South and encountered Teresa on the road. Together they went back to the site of the wrecked caravan to investigate. They collected the three fallen -- two women and a man -- and placed them in the bed of a still intact wagon. They would send horses from the Spires for them later. Teresa then collected what sacks of grain were not ruined, placing them in her wondrous magic bag to bring back to the Spires. Lash told her of his scout through the Cloakwood. The Sharp Teeth were the next most likely source, they reasoned. They both knew of the caves there that the gnolls frequented.

Arriving at the mouth of the cave complex, they saw the staked and hung bodies the gnolls placed as warning to interlopers. Teresa took the staked bodies down, placing them in a state of rest less ignoble. Firing an arrow, Lash severed the rope that held the noose of another poor soul hung in front of the entrance by the gnolls. Teresa lay this man to rest as well. They entered the cave, Teresa's magic light proclaiming them. Several hours later the two exited. There had been only a handful of gnolls in the caverns, all now dead. Most were hidden deep inside. Though the caves held crates and barrels, it was impossible to tell if they had come from the doomed caravan. Clearly these gnolls had been raiding, but was this the base from which the wrecked caravan had been attacked? If it was, then the better part of the force must be elsewhere. As he and Teresa walked through the Teeth towards Gullykin, eager to confirm that the little folk were well, they discussed the possibilities.

Gullykin proved secure, and on the road back towards Beregost they discussed the days events. They both would continue to patrol the Tradeway. Lash promised to bring regular reports to the Spires of what he learned. At the Lion's Cross they parted ways.

[HEEGZ]

*Rumors spread north along the Trade Way of yet another gnoll warband attack on an Amnish merchant wagon laden with gems and supplies out of Nashkel.*

[Zelknolf]

No sooner than the rumors are circulated than there are slain gnolls beside the broken wagon. A group of three is seen transporting the remains of the fallen to Nashkel on a horse of apparently-remarkable survival instinct.

(( don't know if the Amnians would be able to identify the members of said party, or if they would spread word around if they did. PMed HEEGZ. ))

[HEEGZ]

*Anachie Gordon, bard of the Helm and Cloak, constructing his latest ballad. Snippets of rumor and gossip make their way into the tales he weaves.*

[HEEGZ]

*News reaches the Friendly Arm Inn and Beregost of another gnoll attack. This time they were beaten back. The caravan master spoke of an elf warrior that appeared from the night, slew many of them, then drove off a winged horror.*

[HEEGZ]

*A young woman, Lilith Greene, in Beregost is asking for brave souls to venture south to find her missing husband. She fears for his safety as he was separated from his companions and attempted to make his way to her in Beregost by himself. She can be found crying to herself by the dismal comfort of a hearth.*

(( staged encounter on the server. reward will be related to risk. i would prefer this one be tackled by PCs below level 10, but not required. ))

[Stormbring3r]

Merry talks quietly with a few guards as she travels the road. Upon hearing of the plight of the woman she heads back to Beregost to lend aid.

Merry crouched from a vantage point by the bushes cloaked in shadows watching the Gnoll war party tear apart a human male. She frowned and moved to head to Beregost and gain more aid in battling them. As she started to slip back she heard the boisterious talk of mercanaries who had been drinking and she paused. She looked to the gnolls and realized they heard the mercs and she frowned and the gnolls charged. She then realized she was between them and readied her axe as the largest gnoll almost trampled her. She moved to attack him as he went past but a wild looking dog the size of a horse pounced on her from out of nowhere. She rolled with the blow and was quickly surrounded by them. Glancing about quickly and seeing the drunk merc's fall quickly she rolled between the largest looking dogs legs and fled to Beregost for Aid.

Merry used some healing scrolls upon herself when she was in the safety of Beregost. She then went to the Lathanderite Temple and reported her finding to them. She asked for aid and none was available. She moved back to the southern road and sighed. Slipping into the darkness she slowly made her way back south. She slipped through the woods close to the road as she kept a watch out. The largest gnoll was standing over one of the fallen merc's along with the large dogs. She choose to slip past them and see who was close to the body. There were only three archers wo were more interested in the commotion down by the road. She saw her chance and slipped up the the one in the back and stuck an arrow in his skull. As he fell she was already drawing on the second gnoll who started to turn when he heard the body hit the ground. She released the second arrow just before the gnoll realized his comrade was dead. The second arrow struck it in the throat and severed its spine before it could make a noise. That left only one close to the body. Merry loosed a arrow at it and watched as it was taken by surprise. The arrow did its job as it lodged in its throat stopping any communication. She moved in and attacked as quietly as she could and finished it off. She moved back to the body and pulled a vial to grant her strength from a pouch. Quickly she dank it and hefted the body as best her small frame could and slipped into the woods and back to the North.

Merry struggles through the woods till she gets to Beregost. She takes the body to the Lathanderite Temple and then ask them to find the young lady whose husband was missing. She waits patiently for them to bring her back to see if this poor soul was her husband.

[HEEGZ]

*A blood moon sets on the Sword Coast. To the south of Beregost can be heard the demonic howls of gnoll warbands on the hunt. Only well armed caravans make it safely to their destinations.*

[HEEGZ]

*The blood-curdling shrieks of fel gnolls echo through the valleys and forests. Half whispered tales of flaming fiends spread among taverns and ale houses.*

(( This staged encounter is only for higher level PC parties.
You've been warned. ))

[kid]

((tl, dr: killed a few gnolls, found no winged creatures, still more gnolls on the road south, be careful. Bodies were delivered to Song of the Morning))

A man in green armor wandered through Beregost.
He spoke with a few innkeepers and left word with Thunderhammer and Father Richar upon his departure, stating he will try and learn something about the threats along the road to the south.
It was early afternoon when the man set out on his way, and it was night when he returned to the tense town, already filled with concerned whispers, carrying the remains of those who fell to the gnolls.
The man left a few dozen double eagles at The Song of the Morning for the pair's burial, and asked for the bodies to be preserved for a while should anyone come and recognize them.
He also left four minor potions of healing with the priest Richar, asking him to give one to whom any asks for it.

((Body of Cedric and 4 CLW are left behind the altar. Also his armor and weapon but that seems odd to take *shrugs*))

He reports (to most who are willing to hear but mainly the innkeepers and Richar) slaying a dozen gnolls or so and a pair of hyenas, but claims to have seen no fiendish creatures, winged or not.
The man stressed he only scouted a few miles south (a screen or two) and that there were many tracks of other gnoll that seem to still be wandering the trade way, so anyone out to investigate should proceed with caution.
He also commented on the bravery of three flaming fist who he aided in battling a band of gnoll before they moved on their way north.

((Had to go sleep. If anyone does this please post. Curious to what will be found))

[Ithildur]

"About time we looked into this, don't you think Rayne?"

Aglaril checked his equipment once more, making sure a half dozen scrolls were within easy reach thanks to the special organizer. Satisfied with his inspection, the Bladesinger gave two reassuring taps to the carrier which held his Familiar, and left the room in the Jovial Juggler.

Descending down the stairs with swift steps, the Elf slid a double eagle to the barkeep along with a message to be posted and a simple request: to pass the word that interested adventurous sorts with a mind to investigate the recent gnoll rumors should seek him out.

With a crisp nod, the Bladesinger exited the Inn into the streets of Beregost.


******************************************************************************************


That's unexpected... What's got Rayne so cheerful suddenly I wonder?

Aglaril glanced once more quickly towards the south. The gnolls were for the moment out of sight and hearing distance; he was about to cast a protective ward or two, when he realized through magical empathy that his Familiar's mood had shifted. Glancing about from his hiding spot in the thickets, the Elf heard the voices (and unmistakable sound of heavily armored movement), saw the diminutive bat flutter towards him from the north, then the approaching 4 figures. Casting one more gaze towards the south, Aglaril stepped out towards them: the young maiden-Knight Caine, the man named Lash, an unfamiliar Gold Dwarf, and surprisingly... Teresa herself.

This was going to be an interesting evening, thought the Bladesinger.

[HEEGZ]

*The latest gossip is that there are dozens of small, and not so small, skirmishes between gnolls, travelers and Amnish soldiers along the Trade Way. Caravan traffic is reduced as goods begin to move by sea to avoid the latest troubles.*

[kid]

A few days pass and the youth in green returns to Beregost.
He reports of odd sightings deep in the Wood of Sharp Teeth.

The man claims to have followed gnoll tracks and bloody drag marks that seemed to have led, by the howls carried in the night air, to some gnoll encampment. He can give no numbers but reports of odd tracks and an uneasy feeling and an strong strange foul scent in the air.
He advises others to travel in large numbers if they wish to investigate the Wood of Sharp Teeth, east of the Lion's Crossing.