It was time to leave Enstad. It seems the Black Runes had been successful in acquiring the Heart of Enstad - a powerful living jewel - the Esserial (DM: Link to more info) - that controlled all the weather in the lands around Enstad - that now has once again started to fall in the lands. The once burning city is now a winter wonderland.
The Fellowship purchased winter gear and horses, seeing a final party of sorts was going on in the Azul's Rest the inn/tavern. It seemed many if not all of the last inhabitants of the city of Enstad were leaving. The Fellowship decided to have one final meal and drink before there trek Westward.
Entering the tavern, they noted half the room was taken up by boisterous and parting Black Rune forces. With their Black Rune medallion/pass, the party found an empty table.
Seeing much being packed away, Doctor Holliday inquired about anything that was for sale. Two rather strange items were noted:
- A statue - idol(?) which had been in the massive aquarium. A octopus with human like arms, weighing in over 100 lbs.
- A head of a dragon, metallic - copper possibly - which hung over the large fireplace
Taking their leave, the heroes headed to the West gate of
Osengarr’slar which allows passage to the lands of Ulek.Ahead, they saw the path led through what once looked to be a park.
- A wrought iron fence surrounds the park. A gate - 1/2 broken and other 1/2 torn off by the hinges lies in the gravel.
- Here
no snow falls. A large sickly tree bound in chains (as below image). Each
chain leads to a stone anchored into the ground. A dryad, sick and
feverish - under the influence of a Black Rune curse to stop her from
guarding the gate to the pass. The party was able to fight off a mist which seemed to envelop the area. The Doctor hacking through most of the eldritch chains holding the tree as ther mist continued to drain blood from him. The Fellopwship was able to defeat the mist, and the recovering and grateful dryad gave a sapling to the Doctor
- The heroes encounter a patrol of Black Rune guards. 3 Goblins, Jespe, Jospe and Joosepe vrs. 3 Kobolds, Danti, Desen and Y'eechik. They are having a snowball fight. Both having never seen snow before at least a foot of snow has fallen. They have built 2 forts about 20' apart across the path and continue to fling snowballs, and attack enmasse. They are surprised by attacks from the Fellowship, but don't question them as the party shows off the Black Rune medallion.
- The gates to the path beyond these the party sees a
large wide and high chamber. All the walls are engraved with trees and
images of glades, waterfalls, sun and moon. A massive canal runs from
north to south. A trickle of water flows now. To the North, a torrent of
water flows down from a waterfall. Before it hits theground it about 10' off the ground disappears into a glowing red gate parallel to the ground. Near this area, is a wooden tower where 2 humanoid figures stand.
A bridge leads across the massive canal, and across
from the party are 2 massive doors looking to be made into the side of a living
tree.
These lead to a underground causeway and tunnel
system of the Underdark. About 300 feet ahead, they split to path into the
mountains which will lead west. The other path leads to the Underdark..
A single elf stands ahead on the far side of the bridge.
Some interactions and tense moments as the male elf seems to know much about the RedWater Falls village. Agreeing to take a package - along case - to the commander of the garrison holding the mountain pass, they are allowed to pass. With wagon and horses, the party takes the upper path and heads into the snowy mountains.
Bundling up against the cold, the party trekked onwards. A few days later, they came upon a burning wagon and two bodies on the ground.
Moving forward to help, the Doctor was not that surprised when one turned over a woman with dagger at the 1/2 orc's throat.
Kantif, Grax, Cedric and Gothi all jumped into action when the Doctor
leapt back. the 5 bandits looked to have bit off more than they could chew as the RedWater Fellowship took one down after another. Gothi - riding his monstrous beast, Jawbone a hybrid shark/wolf leapt into action firing his bow. Kanif used his stealth and sneak attack to
great effect. Cedric fired his Shadowfell bow transporting directly to and engaged a evil priestess, she taking him to near death with a single spell! Doctor Holliday fought the leader whom barely escapted by a mistystep spell. In the end the Fellowship are victorious, three dead and two run-off, the party moved onwards.
A few more days of travel into the high mountains take the party near the mountain pass which is - or was - the outpost of Enstad - Estani’lar (elvish for “Mirror of the world ”). This outpost was once the main stop for caravans and travelers going from the Duchy to the Elvish kingdom.
Now a battleground/no-man’s land between the Black Runes and the Duchy.
BR force:
Camp mostly in caves - once mined by the Shield dwarf clan
• 50 BR dwarves
• 200 goblins and hobgoblin
• 4 ogres
• 2 hill giants
The party travel up to the camp and show the medallion. There was some untrusful staares and words as the Fellowship advised they wanted to travel through and over the pass. The leader is called of the mercenary group. A Commander Bajin Greyskull. This Black Rune is different from most, he leads a regiment of dwarves whom still grow their beards. Wearing heavy chainmail with a BR symbol with 2 crossed hammers overtop, helm and two hammers across his back.. He seemed to be a mercenary working for the highest bidder. His army - The GreysKull Hounds - is skilled in mountain warfare.
An elaborate large tent, built against the side of a cave, which leads to a sleeping/sitting area. Heavy rugs cover all the carpets. The case from the elf in Enstad is presented, and the dwarf grins greedily. NOT opening it.
The party is advised to remove all boots to meet the Commander. They do.
Bajin, removes his helmet, showing the dead skin of his skull. Similar to Doc’s hand.
Bajin will tell the party of current situation; a “Kobold Victory” slang or bad joke for neither side able to win.
The Duchy occupies a similar location on other side of top mountain pass. “The Shielders” as Bajin calls the old clan of shield dwarf clan dug tunnels and mines through both sides. Battles fought above and below ground. Magic caused multiple cave in so the battles in the mines were stopped. The dwarf looking grim, spits in the fire. “Never a good idea to use magic in tunnels..l told‘em many a time.. But they don’t listen to a merc.” As if to, himself. Shaking his head, he will ask the party why in the 9 hells are they traveling in
winter through the mountains??
He perceptively can tell the group is not what they seem, but seems to care little. He chuckles and shake his head. “It not be my task to stop travelers with a BR pass.
Now.. If I was being paid to, that would be a different story.” Grinning he snaps his fingers and 4 hidden flaps drop and the party is covered by 4 dwarves, each with a blunderbuss pointed at them.
He snaps his fingers again. Dwarf fingers un-cock the flintlocks with audible “clicks and clacks.
The flaps are raised again and the party is once again alone with the Baron.
A dark elf woman in shiny black leathers no BR symbol is visible - stalks into the room. "so ya bring guests.. And who are these fine people?" She asks with slight disdain to the fellowship.
Bajin hastily introduces the group. Once they get to Kantif and Gothie, she interrupts. "A strange looking elf.. And a 1/2 elf.. You are rare in these parts now with the "Great Deliverance" (DM: all the elves of Enstad transport east through a multitude of magical portals away from the Black Runes and allies) She mentions a pool or lake to Gothi..
At first with a loving smile to Bajin,"So would you like dinner brought in honoured guests?" She will lay a finger under his chin. As she says this she will look over the group. The Doctor replies a meal would be
good..She will study them and then flash a blade out to the neck of one or the other. "Whom do you work for.. The Scarlet brotherhood? Checking on us?" She spits stalking out of the room. The Commander wipes his sweaty brow.
He asks about news of Enstad and the lands to the East. His homeland, far to the East - Cairn hills east of Greyhawk. Overlord Romack's armies continues his battles to northwest, although some forces are coming south of Verbobonc to the Kron hills.Armies from Ket, Bessel have invaded Gran March and Geoff. Nearly overwhelming both last heard (month ago).The Duchy of Ulek fights along forces of Keloand.
Principality of Ulek and county of Ulek have both fallen to Black Rune forces.
The party takes their leave, now with the bemused agreement of the Commander, they are able to move onwards to the mountain pass and into the Duchy of Ulek!
Some interactions and tense moments as the male elf seems to know much about the RedWater Falls village. Agreeing to take a package - along case - to the commander of the garrison holding the mountain pass, they are allowed to pass. With wagon and horses, the party takes the upper path and heads into the snowy mountains.
Bundling up against the cold, the party trekked onwards. A few days later, they came upon a burning wagon and two bodies on the ground.Moving forward to help, the Doctor was not that surprised when one turned over a woman with dagger at the 1/2 orc's throat.
Kantif, Grax, Cedric and Gothi all jumped into action when the Doctor
A few more days of travel into the high mountains take the party near the mountain pass which is - or was - the outpost of Enstad - Estani’lar (elvish for “Mirror of the world ”). This outpost was once the main stop for caravans and travelers going from the Duchy to the Elvish kingdom.
Now a battleground/no-man’s land between the Black Runes and the Duchy.
BR force:
Camp mostly in caves - once mined by the Shield dwarf clan
• 50 BR dwarves
• 200 goblins and hobgoblin
• 4 ogres
• 2 hill giants
The party travel up to the camp and show the medallion. There was some untrusful staares and words as the Fellowship advised they wanted to travel through and over the pass. The leader is called of the mercenary group. A Commander Bajin Greyskull. This Black Rune is different from most, he leads a regiment of dwarves whom still grow their beards. Wearing heavy chainmail with a BR symbol with 2 crossed hammers overtop, helm and two hammers across his back.. He seemed to be a mercenary working for the highest bidder. His army - The GreysKull Hounds - is skilled in mountain warfare.
An elaborate large tent, built against the side of a cave, which leads to a sleeping/sitting area. Heavy rugs cover all the carpets. The case from the elf in Enstad is presented, and the dwarf grins greedily. NOT opening it.
The party is advised to remove all boots to meet the Commander. They do.
Bajin, removes his helmet, showing the dead skin of his skull. Similar to Doc’s hand.
Bajin will tell the party of current situation; a “Kobold Victory” slang or bad joke for neither side able to win.
The Duchy occupies a similar location on other side of top mountain pass. “The Shielders” as Bajin calls the old clan of shield dwarf clan dug tunnels and mines through both sides. Battles fought above and below ground. Magic caused multiple cave in so the battles in the mines were stopped. The dwarf looking grim, spits in the fire. “Never a good idea to use magic in tunnels..l told‘em many a time.. But they don’t listen to a merc.” As if to, himself. Shaking his head, he will ask the party why in the 9 hells are they traveling in
He perceptively can tell the group is not what they seem, but seems to care little. He chuckles and shake his head. “It not be my task to stop travelers with a BR pass.
Now.. If I was being paid to, that would be a different story.” Grinning he snaps his fingers and 4 hidden flaps drop and the party is covered by 4 dwarves, each with a blunderbuss pointed at them.
He snaps his fingers again. Dwarf fingers un-cock the flintlocks with audible “clicks and clacks.
The flaps are raised again and the party is once again alone with the Baron.
A dark elf woman in shiny black leathers no BR symbol is visible - stalks into the room. "so ya bring guests.. And who are these fine people?" She asks with slight disdain to the fellowship.
Bajin hastily introduces the group. Once they get to Kantif and Gothie, she interrupts. "A strange looking elf.. And a 1/2 elf.. You are rare in these parts now with the "Great Deliverance" (DM: all the elves of Enstad transport east through a multitude of magical portals away from the Black Runes and allies) She mentions a pool or lake to Gothi..
At first with a loving smile to Bajin,"So would you like dinner brought in honoured guests?" She will lay a finger under his chin. As she says this she will look over the group. The Doctor replies a meal would be
He asks about news of Enstad and the lands to the East. His homeland, far to the East - Cairn hills east of Greyhawk. Overlord Romack's armies continues his battles to northwest, although some forces are coming south of Verbobonc to the Kron hills.Armies from Ket, Bessel have invaded Gran March and Geoff. Nearly overwhelming both last heard (month ago).The Duchy of Ulek fights along forces of Keloand.
Principality of Ulek and county of Ulek have both fallen to Black Rune forces.
The party takes their leave, now with the bemused agreement of the Commander, they are able to move onwards to the mountain pass and into the Duchy of Ulek!
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