Reunions, old friends and enemies

2nd month of the year - Starday -  1st day of Readying (for most - Elves it is the month of Yellowillow)  

When last we left our heroes, the Fellowship of RedWater had a few priorities. 

1. Somehow delay or stop the GreySkull Mercenaries from advancing on what looked to be an illusionary wall and force of Duchy of Ulek troops
2. Recover from the draining strength of the undead shadows met in the high outpost (DM: see last entry)
3. Make their way to the Duress Estate and raise an army to fight the Black Runes!

Deciding to send their most persuasive members to meet with Commander Bajin, the heroes had to wait for some time as the dwarf was busy. They noted a number of GreySkull troopers breaking camp and making ready to advance up through the pass.. bringing some unease to the party members.
Finally, they were able to meet with the Commander, after being delayed further by his drow consort/wife.
Starting the prepared speeches, they stumbled and stopped before going to far in suggesting to betray or break the contract with the Black Runes. Both Graxus and Kantif saw a shadow in the far back of the tent. Thinking quickly, the lizardman sorcerer desired some more light and using thaumaturgy flared the light of a nearby lantern. 

A dwarf sat in the dark staring at the party. A familiar dwarf. Commander Taeryn Ic Zuln (DM: see  Blog post) It seemed the dwarf mage had survived.. although he was missing 3 fingers and large chunk of his jaw was heavily scarred. Kantif knew this dwarf quite well from the city of Fax - main HQ of the Black Runes.
Commander Ic Zuln tried to bully the leader of the GreySkull mercenaries, normally this would have been an easy decision, but it seemed that Commander Bajin liked the Fellowship. So in this case, he stood up to the Black Rune and advised with a wink to the party that they were STILL working for the GreySkulls.. weren't they.
Kantif looked at Gaxus, whom looked at Doc Holliday, whom looked back at Kantif. With some subtle persuasion, Commander Zuln stormed off.. vowing to find the heroes again. 
Carefully confirming the Black Rune was gone, the party negotiated with the Bajin and his wife. It seemed the Black Runes held something over them.. their son, as hostage. In the city of Fax.
Further troubling news. The Merchant guilds running the Duchy of Ulek had sued for peace with the Black Runes! All three Ulek provinces were under Black Rune control. The potential defence plans were no longer needed. Perhaps now a resistance would be the course...
Doc Holliday and the heroes negotiated a future alliance.. rescue their son. If the Fellowship did this, they would have the Greyskull mercenary force. Commander Bajin grasped arms with the Doctor in agreement.

Gothi spent some time with the 2 headed-winged wyvern like creature and then.. the party once again headed off up into the slowly melting snows in the mountain pass. 
Passing a stream that was steaming slightly, it seemed to be warm water coming out of a crack in the cliff walls. The Fellowship were on a mission and not to be deterred, moved on without exploration.
With Cedric keeping an eye out and Gothi using her excellent tracking skills, the party was not surprised when some mountain Yeti tried to attack them. 
The creatures were easy to hit, but were tough and had a strange ability to freeze someone in their tracks and then rend them with claws.
The large creatures defeated, the party took some trophies.
Arriving at the Mirror of the World, the party made a hasty camp while Gothi was going to explore the burning spire. The 300 foot massive tower of rock still had the burning beacon on top.
Walking out on the ice, she once again saw the massive draconic head in the depths of the lake. After clearing away most of the snow, the head looked to be dragon - not a skull - a metallic silver dragon. The head was the size of a house. Eyes black as night staring upwards from the depths of the ice.
The Beast-hunter once again activated her enchanted boots and easily walked up the slick and slipper sides. Arriving at the 3rd tunnel entrance he found a small room. Then she saw it the crystals. Hammering the ice(?) with her fist, Gothi nearly broke her fingers. One of the crystals glimmered a faint green when she was near. Focusing the elf-like creature eased her hand THROUGH the ice and grasped the crystal. Her crystal. she deftly snagged a 2nd crystal and withdrew her hand. 
With trembling fingers she realized this crystal did not go in her heart it went in the hole in eye socket/mouth. Inserting it, she screamed in pain as her head returned to normal humanoid: 2 eyes,

mouth and nose. 
The Fellowship heard the scream echo across the ice and headed out to help. But it seemed after the initial burning pain, Gothi felt nearly whole again. The eye now glimmered with a green light as well as faint green lines on her arms and legs. She was now taller and younger, not a hunched wizened old woman! But Gothi realized a shard of her crystal was missing.. she felt a draw to it.. far to the east.. in a desert. The Bright Desert. 
The party heard a tune being whistled from further into the blasted ruins of the outpost and came upon a merchant by the name Blue. A seller of fine ales, wines, mead and more. At a question to him from Doc Holliday about the Duress wine, it tuned out to be troubling news. There had not been Duress wine on the market for 3-4 months now.. It seemed the head winemaker a brilliant gnome had gone missing or was.. dead? Buying some potions, the party cautioned the merchant and said their goodbyes.

Venturing on, the heroes make their way down the mountain pass and to the Duchy defenses. Using perception and stealth they determine it is a massive illusion. Impressive for its size but it is no barrier to the party. With some urging to their variety of mounts they head down into lands no longer under the snowy whiteness. An early Spring has come to the Duchy, as well as the BlackRunes.

But.. Doctor Holliday was finally home. Deciding with wise counsel from his friends, the party headed towards the Duress estate. 
Hearing the crack of a musket shot in the distance, the party made ready fro battle. It seemed not needed. 3 young men were taking practice shots at a statue. A statue of the former merchant leader of the Duress estate.
The Crakin brothers. 

•  Dunbirk (tall thin long black hair in pony tail and 1 eye. the bully of the 3, wears breastplate)
  
  
  
• Tyler (medium height, well built and good looking. wearing extremely fine armour)

• Kristin (short with curly dark red hair. Constantly teased by Dunbirk)

Doc Holliday at had run-ins previously. But the 1/2 orc had grown up and was no pushover. Dunbirk tried his usual tactics, but backed down in the end after scoffing and ridiculing the Doctor and the Duress family.

Heading through extremely familiar terrain, the Doctor had many memories hit him, most good. Making note of various landmarks, he told the party of his life on the Duress estate. And then there it was the mansion. Where the 1/2 orc boy grew up. Coming home a man, accomplished doctor, and gunslinger.
At the door, a familiar face. Trust, the butler whom hugged the Doctor. Meeting more and more old friends and acquaintances, he learned of the situation and then none of that mattered as Doctor Holliday met his mother - Tarthal. The years melted off him and he was a boy again. 

After a tearful reunion, the sad news. His father - Dorgan - was missing. Heading out to try and track down the creature - or creatures - that had taken the - Heddin Carstrell - head winemaker. Also.. the Master of Duress - elf and his daughter - Gilwin - had also gone with the Great Deliverance. transported East to the Bright desert it seems.

Kantif turns to Trust wanting to ask him a question. “So Trust, how did the Crakin family take over this place anyways. Did they just waltz in here and take it after everybody left?”Kantif asks, wanting some clarification on the situation to see if they group could possibly do something about it. The discussion turns to the family feud between Duress estate and Crakin estate..

 Each of the Fellowship are given a room and a comfortable bed to rest and recover. Doctor Holliday takes Gilwin's room. He still smells faintly her perfume and flowers she like here. The Doctor recalls his many adventures around the estate and all with the young elf woman.. 

The next morning, Sigmund comes down from upstairs, he smells faintly of flowers and is drying himself with a purple wool towel. he spins a bullet between his fingers.

" I suggest we do everything we need to while in Ulek before we head for Fax amass as many resources help people you know. Craft items." Sigmund sighs and rubs his face, his eyes look tired.

" There's 2 things i must do before i leave, save my Grandfather and find the 2 missing members of my family." 

" I'm of course willing to help any of you, with family or personal matters while we are here if you have any."

***

There were a number or rumours of the creature, the vineyard workers say it is a massive humanoid creature that also runs on all 4s.

• It tears up any and eats them
• Looks like a massive black skinned - hairless - humanoid
• Glowing red eyes
• Travels with a pack of 4 legged creatures - demon dogs!
• Some say it is a massive shaggy bear 

***

Personae of the Duress Estate:

• Tarthal Holliday - Sigmunds Mother, 1/2 orc - head of the household staff
• Dorgan Holliday 1/2 orc - Doctor's father head of House Duress’s bodyguard force (missing went after the creature that took Heddin)
• Head Winemaker - gnome shortcropped blonde hair with well-trimmed beard. - Heddin Carstrell - Amazing winemaker. Dedicated to Duress. Missing for 3 months now
• Halfling gardener/ field work & assistant winemaker  --- Abarkhey Hestin-- short and thin long curly brown/greying hair now - was fairly fat
• Human twin chefs. Elgis and Helk Jeens (5' tall, round and portly. One bald and one thick black hair, jovial, finish each other sentences, always trying out new and strange recipes
• Human Butler Trust Waverly (6'6" tall thin balding man english accent- very proper no matter the situation)
• Dwarven maid. Volma Tendract (Shield dwarf clan, Lortmill mts.)
• There were 3 guards:

• An old grouchy man (that never said anything with long thick gray hair and a thin beard)  Needle no last name.
• a half elf Clanis with many scars died in a hunt for a 'giant bear'
• Dwarf with an eye patch Runthyr Highwater - keeps his beard and musket - but nothing else - in perfect condition.

A contract, Mirror of the World and Illusions

1st month of the year - Waterday -  26th day of Fireseek (for most - Elves it is the month of DiamondIce) 

Having left the GreySkull mercenary group of the Black Runes on fairly good terms, the RedWater  Fellowship, rode out of the camp, taking the winding path up through the mountains of Lortmil. While riding the heroes discussed and decided to return to try and use the skilled dwarven smithy to forge some key items.
Upon their return, the guards on the makeshift snow-ice-rock-dirt walls were wary at first but after some persuasion, the adventurers returned and spoke again with Commander Bajin. While riding in Gothi saw and heard what looked like a large scaled creature in one of the mine entrances. Bound in chains with many guards about.
Perhaps a bargaining chip the Monster hunter advised the party, her skill in this was very good.

He seemed somewhat bemused at the return of the Fellowship, until they made their proposals.
Doctor Holliday requested the skills on a veteran weaponsmith to forge a pistol. The Commander not seeing an opportunity like this to pass, agreed on terms:

First, a GreySkull scouting party led by a goliath by the name, Fragar Crushin, had not returned a week past. Find them or determine what happened to them.
Second, scout the Duchy forces and defenses. Bring back detailed information on numbers and more.
Third, Gothi would use his monstrous taming skills on the beast in the mine.

For this, the Commander would give each:

Doctor Holliday: assistance and access to the forge for his pistol creation
Cedric: an enchanted shield
Gothi: an enchanted bow and Gothi, would learn what and why the Commander's wife knew of his heritage
Grax: undecided
Kantif: enchanting his heirloom rapier


The RedWater Fellowship, a little leary of the scouting of the defenses of the Duchy forces at the western pass, agreed. AS in the end these were their allies....

The heroes set off once again, following the snow covered path up into the mountains. After traveling 1/2 a day, they came upon through a small glade where a frozen river crossed. Gothi and Kantif noted
something out of place an broken shortbow and a single torn boot. The Ranger found some tracks and it looked like a battle may have occurred.. at that moment a tremor in the ground, and in a burst of snow all around a massive insectoid like creature burst out of the ground.
Remorhazes.

A very tough battle as many of the blows to the creature spewed out burning hot blood on the opponent. And then a second one of the creatures burst forth to attack. The Fellowship desperate to not lose their horses attacked and defended. 
The creatures were capable diggers and once defeated the group found treasure, as well as what looked to be the remains of one of the scouting party as well as a torn tabard with heraldry of Ulek.

Gothi sensing more tremors, advised they should move on with haste.. as these 2 monsters were young and had nearly taken the heroes down.

Moving on the they came upon the high outpost - Estani’lar (elvish for “Mirror of the world”) Once a dwarven stronghold, it had been settled by elves as well in an alliance 100s of years past. The structures were a unique mix of dwarven stonework and elf tree houses. Now a blasted and war torn battlefield. Only a couple of the tree houses were still intact and not burnt out husks. Most of the finely made dwarven buildings blasted and destroyed.
The lure for many though was the lake - "Mirror of the World". A fairly large lake took up most of the vale at the top of the mountain, with the outpost town skirting its shores. In the centre was a tall - over 300 feet high - tower with a burning pyre at the top. The Blaze. 
Tracking further, Gothi determined the tracks of the scouting party went through the town and out of the vale. But the Blaze lured her to it. So the party ventured out onto the frozen lake. Slick in many places as the snow

had stopped falling, the deep lake was frozen solid. Reaching the large tower of rock, There looked to be an old rickety ladder up one side, but it was broken in many places and the slick ice and snow made it treacherous. Doc Holliday looked at Kantif and Cedric, with shakes of their heads, this could be a dangerous climb.
Gothi smiled but none saw it due to her mask.. activating her enchanted boots, she calmly and easily walked up the side of the slick and icy tower of rock. At an entrance part way up, she tossed a rope down, after securing it, and continued to climb. Passing a few more tunnels into the side of the tower, she scaled to the top where she found a large metal bowl filled with burning fiery fluid. A row of runes of unknown workmanship ringed the bowl.
Turning away she gasped. Under the ice of the lake the ranger saw a vast gargantuan sized head. Draconic or dragon skull-like..? The creature must have been at least a few hundred feet long. 
Coming back down the other tunnels into the stone tower were not explored except partial of the first by the rest of the party. The goal it seemed was the lost scouting party and defences of the Duchy.

Travelling around the lake - now that the party knew of the massive ice-locked skull/head of a dragon(?), they started down the other side, now - by map anyway - in the Duchy of Ulek. a few hours later, the RedWater Fellowship saw a massive wall with battlements and towers ahead. Kantif and Gothi scouted ahead.

The massive wall of stone, 30 feet high of ice and snow was impressive. 4 towers could be seen butting up to mountain pass walls. Ballistae were seen in each tower and numerous guards walked the battlements. Something seemed off though to Gothi. Then mentioning it to the others, they noted that some of the soldiers had impassive un-moving faces.. an illusion? Graxus with his arcane knowledge seemed to think so.

Returning to the outpost, the adventurers started to again look for the lost scouting party. Noting some footprints up to one of the remaining treehouses. Gothi walked up there and into a window.. to be attacked by multiple shades. Battle was joined.
The undead creatures hungered for the life essence of the party, draining strength on each it. Doc Holliday could have fallen except for his gauntlets of giant strength.
Finally defeating the shadows, the party confirmed most of the GreySkull scouting party had been lost and returned to the encampment, needing rest and recuperation as well.
Commander Bajin and his consort dark elf - wife? - were intrigued by the information the RedWater Fellowship emparted to them.. especially the details of what looked to be an illusionary wall and forces of the Duchy of Ulek.
Granting the adventurers their boons, the party rested and reuperated as well as Gothi and the Doc had some work to do.
Gothi, using her unique talents to tame monstrous creatures, heading into the old Shield dwarf mine. There she saw a hybrid of a creature, with 2 heads and scaled body and stinger tail. After 3 hours of work, she was able to assist with the taming of the creature, helping an elderly 1/2 orc bring the 30 foot long creature under control.  
Doctor Holliday, headed down into one of the mine entrances where the clanging of hammers could be heard, smoke and fumes from a forge whisping out into the night. The Doctor had come prepared.. He had communed with his goddess - the Raven Queen - performing a ceremony that can be only done once in a lifetime. As well, he had requested the skills of a kobold bard from the GreySkulls, Taziif, somewhat skilled with a violin for inspiration. looking to be human or elf hair for the bow, and finally Thograa, reluctantly at first, guided the Doctor with his clerical powers. (DM: it had come to light recently of Thograa's priestly skills). With all this Nalin - former slave from Enstad and an apprentice smith -as well as the weapon-smith, Prinak, he went over the forging of his personally designed pistol. Using a variety of unique and magical ingredients as well as a powdered RedWater pine-cone to vastly increase the fire's heat, the forging started. Hours they laboured.. sweat pouring down his face.. at one point his raven sat on the 1/2orc's shoulder giving him further strength it seemed. The black raven pecking at his shoulder when the Doctor faltered for a moment. 
Then the hammers were laid aside, and the forge fires died down. The Doctor, the weapon-smith, the Blacksmith apprentice and the raven looked down at a marvel. A revolver, with four chambers. 
Picking up the pistol, Doctor Holliday smiled with a vast contentment. A feathery wing brushed his ear and he felt the satisfaction of his goddess. 
Prinak showed the Doctor the bullets the gun would take, with 4 chambered, the cost would be much in

gold, but the pistol was a marvel of magical and mechanical workmanship. Every shot would be worth it, after he had tested it at a shooting range, destroying a target easily.
Cedric received his shield, Kantif his now magically enchanted rapier and Gothi his fine bow.
The Fellowship prepared once again to head up over the mountain pass. 
BUT it seemed the GreySkull mercenaries were breaking camp as well. Perhaps the final words about the Duchy forces not seeming 'right' was enough for the crafty dwarf commander and his drow consort to realize something was amiss on the Duchy's side of the battlefield.
The GreySkull mercenaries were going to battle it seemed..

Duchy of Ulek - information

Information about the Duchy of Ulek.

House Duress - Doctor Holliday's home is about a 5 hour horse/wagon ride north east of the town of Waybury, located on the river Lort. (see map)

NOTE: Some of these population numbers are lower now after the Great Deliverance - 95% of all elves and a vast majority of 1/2 elves as well left.

Proper Name: Duchy of Ulek
Ruler: previously His Noble Radiance, Duke Grenowin of Ulek (a wizard/warrior). Now the Duchy is ruled by a group of Merchant Houses. Primary Houses being in the capital city Tringlee and some in Waybury
Government: Merchant House consortium. Previously feudal monarchy with
hereditary rulership
Capital: Tringlee
Major Towns: Axegard (pop. 13,200), Tringlee (pop.14,500),  Waybury (pop. 11,500)
NOTE: all these population #s were before the Great Deliverance. These numbers are drastically less now.
Provinces: A fairly chaotic assortment of noble fiefs, the largest of which is a barony and the smallest (a tower and the hill on which it sits) a principality; many gnome strongholds subject to the duchy exist in the Lortmil Mountains
Resources: Foodstuffs, cloth, electrum, gold, silver, variety of gems
Coinage: Moonveil (pp) suncrown (gp), shootingstar (ep), bellflower (sp), oakleaf (cp)
Population: 200,000 -Human 43%, Half-elf 10%, Elf 2% (high 75%, sylvan 25%), Gnome 3%,
Halfling 2%, Other 1%
Languages: Common, Elven, Keolandish, Sylvan
Alignments: CG*, NG, N, CN
Religions: Elf pantheon, Raven Queen, Ehlonna, Phaulkon, Phyton, Beory, Fharlanghn, Kord, gnome pantheon
Allies: Ulek states, Keoland, Gran March, Sterich, Geoff (exiles), Verbobonc, Kron Hills, Highfolk,
Veluna, Furyondy, Dyvers, Greyhawk, Duchy of Urnst, Knights of Luna, Celene (greatly strained),
Knights of the Watch
Enemies: Black Runes, Pomarj, Iuz

Strategic Map

Thanks to Connor for setting up a strategic map of the area the RedWater Fellowship is currently located in.
Gives one a good perspective.

 Key info on figures below:



The painted blue figures defending the Duchy of Ulek and remnants of other kingdoms forces. ( DM/Dave: French Napoleonic infantry of the line - these are actually about 45 years old! My brother - Connor and Jake's uncle - used these for many wargames) 😁
Those in grey are the Black Rune and allies, having taken over the Principality of Ulek, and County of Ulek. The Black Runes are driving North are are across into Duchy lands.
to the North, the forces of Iuz (Cambion Daemon and his hordes are driving south.
North of the Kron Hills, the forces of Romack - Overlord of Greyhawk war with the Black Runes.

The most important force in RED (The figure actually is British solder from Napoleonic era similar to the blue French) is the RedWater Fellowship. Currently located at the GreySkull encampment on the eastern side of the mountain pass leading to the Duchy of Ulek.