Siege of Warcrown's Watch (Game Thread)

[Melblen_Cairn]

Siege of Warcrown's Watch

Oneday, Third Ride of Eleasis

It's been a ten day since the Heroes of Delimbyr Vale day festivities. The town of Loudwater still recovers from the events about two rides ago when a reborn Red Fist attacked the town and dragged off several villagers. Through your valiant efforts the villagers were returned.

You have been staying as guests of Eoffram Troyas at his own estate. You have not seen the half elven councilman much since the festival as he has been busy with directing much of the rebuilding efforts. When you see him now, you notice the lines of worry across his face and know something is amiss.

"Please do come in." he waves in into his office and points to a few couches nearby to sit with him.

[VennDygrem]

A few days' rest has done a remarkable job of sorting Dunor out. Though his body still bears the scars of battle and loss, the Northern warrior's strength and vigor seem to have returned to him. He seems less burdened, in some way, and even the vibrancy in the red of his hair appears to have returned. His eyepatch has been removed, revealing a quite healthy-looking eye, twin to its brother but for the fact that it is nestled in a jagged, lightning-streaked pair of scars.

All told, however, celebration has done wonders for Dunor's spirit.

As Troyas waves the group in, Dunor takes the invitation to sit. Looking over to the councilman, the warden says, "Good day, Councilman! You look... well, it is not my place to say so, but trouble seems to have settled in around you. Does grim news darken the horizon?"

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Dunor's basically melded components of both previous incarnations, both visually and in personality. As such, he's bound to speak a bit more as he did originally, complete with Northern sailing embellishments.
 

[Melblen_Cairn]

"Two matters weigh heavily. Beyond the challenges our town has faced over the last few rides." he answers. "I want to discuss both with you." he sits along with you all on the couches.

"What do you know of a group, Blood's Brotherhood?" he starts off by asking. At the name Theo's expression sours.

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Some of you had a run in with this group early in the first chapter

[Inspectre]

Galadren, outside of discretely searching for someone capable enough to return Loudwater's captain of the guard back to life, has spent the last few days enjoying his new found celebrity.  Unfortunately, his elven constitution had not proven up to the task of handling the free rounds of drinks various people had offered to him, and thus the elf had more than a tinge of green to his cheeks as he staggered into the councilman's home and found a seat in the darkest corner available.

"Can't say I've heard of them."

Galadren remarks, still wincing after Dunor had spoken up - much too loud.  When had the normally dour man gotten *so* LOUD!?

[Nanshork]

Tanthalus has spent his time renewing his relationship with his god and coming to terms with his new, darker, outlook on life.

Having accepted the invitation he sat at the end of one of the couches and said, "They do not sound familiar to me."

[bhu]

"I know nothing of them, I am not from this area."

[VennDygrem]

Dunor furrows his brow in recollection, then in a flash his memory finally rewards him.

"I recall this group... We encountered them after putting down the goblin forces... Carron Blood and his band of boastful men. They were ready to call it a night and set to drinking while half the town still burned. My opinion is not high of them, no matter how many goblins they foiled."

[Melblen_Cairn]

"Arrogant doesn't begin to describe them." Thespias adds.

Eoffram frowns, "So I have heard. While capable, their group only appears to care for glory." he sips some tea offered by Susteen, who goes around the room offering you each poured cups as well while the councilman continues, "My half sister, the Lady Moonfire, has what you might call a soft spot to those of the teifling race. So this Carron Blood was able to warm up rather quickly to my sister. About a day before your return, she left with them to go explore some frozen tower near the Dire Wood in the High Forest."

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Feel free to give me a History, Arcana, or general Intelligence check on the locations called out.

[bhu]

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arcana

Rolled 1d20+9 : 7 + 9, total 16

history

Rolled 1d20+4 : 15 + 4, total 19

[Inspectre]

Galadren scowls as the nature of these "heroes" is discussed - he loved the adoration of the crowd as much as anyone, but he did what he did because he genuinely wanted to help people.  So-called heroes who just did it for their own self-aggrandizement pissed him off.

"I take it you fear that something . . . untoward happened to Lady Moonfire?  And you want us to check out this tower?"

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History:

Rolled 1d20+1 : 11 + 1, total 12

Arcana:

Rolled 1d20+1 : 7 + 1, total 8

[Melblen_Cairn]

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You know there are many ruined and neglected towers in the High Forest, but you do not know of any near the Dire Wood.

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You have read a short passage previous about a cabal of warlocks entering the High Forest about 30 years ago and building a tower. The group was lead by a dwarf named Draigdurroch. Not long after the tower was erected, it became encased in Ice.

While you do not know the exact magic, it sounded to be Fey in nature.

"Yes. Something had to have befallen her either in the tower or on their way to it. I would like you to find my sister and escort her to safety.  I don't think Loudwater can afford to start losing leadership as well, even one that often is disinterested in her duties."

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You detect a tinge of resentment in his voice at this.

"The second issue I also wanted to discuss with you affects the entire Vale. You likely have heard the news of war brewing north of here. Sundabar's fortress, Warcrown's Watch that holds the only viable pass to this Vale from Orc held lands beyond is going to see another hoard assail it's walls. Some of you may recall a Dwarf leaving my office here the first day I met with you about our missing citizens. He was asking for any support our town could provide. I declined to send any aid at the time and we still cannot afford any manpower from our town's militia."

It would appear that some of the council has taken my idea though, and twisted it to be rid of adventurers in our town. They have ordered that I should send you
 to Sundabar and likely on to Warcrown's Watch to help defend it's walls."

[Nanshork]

"It sounds like you do not approve of your sister's activities," Tanthalus says after listening to all of this.  "Would you place finding your sister as a higher importance than the council's wish to remove us entirely?"

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Insight: 25

[bhu]

"What was this Dwarf's name?"

[Melblen_Cairn]

"My sister often puts her personal interests above the responsibilities of her position. She would rather be a socialite than a leader, throwing balls and parties, than collecting taxes and paying town officals." he says explaining his frustrations

"You can accept both. Head North by way of traversing the High Forest. If you find my sister, take her with you to Sundabar and see that she is safely put on a boat back here." he offers, "The needs of the entire vale outweigh the needs of just our town though, so do not delay long in reaching Sundabar."

He turn's at Tulugaq's question, "The dwarf I met with almost two rides ago? His name is Kalad. He is from Sundabar but travels the area often doing good where he can. He came through Loudwater on his way back up river to Sundabar looking for able bodied people to join him to defend Warcrown's Watch."

[VennDygrem]

Dunor nods, arms crossed before him.

"That sounds like a decent enough plan. I must ask, however... do you have any care of how we deal with Blood and his sellswords assuming we catch up to them? My hammer is itching for a reason to collect some teeth..."

The northerner smirks at the statement, clearly unconcerned with civility toward the rival group now that everyone's feelings regarding them seem comfortably out in the open.

[Melblen_Cairn]

"Normally, I would leave that up to your discretion. Bare in mind that they did aid in the defense of Loudwater, to our knowledge have not yet brought harm to my sister, though complicit to her acts, and unfortunately, Warcrown's Watch could likely find their capabilities useful. So if you do come across them alive, then direct them to Sundabar as well. Blood should see that there is enough glory in it and likely will not need much prodding." Troyas reasons.

[VennDygrem]

Dunor considers this.

"Very well. I find this acceptable. I do not speak for the others, but I will travel out to Sundabar to assist in efforts there, and attempt to find Lady Moonfire along the way. And should a certain horn-headed ruffian step out of line, maybe some arrangement can be made... or a rearrangement, as it may come to pass. So, Theo, what say you? Do the Storm Wolves ride out again to aid those in need?"

A slight smile creeps along the corner of his mouth, anticipating his companion's agreement. He did not know what the others thought, but then he could not count on them to follow along. They had gotten swept up in things after the fact, and they were not Storm Wolves... not officially, anyway. As one of only two remaining members of the group, however, Dunor wonders if there is even truly a group left to lead.

[bhu]

"Do you know of a dwarf named Draigdurroch?"

[Inspectre]

A smile slowly spread across Galadren face as Troyas explained the trouble to the north, and that the town council wanted to be rid of them by sending them to deal with it.  A hero's work was never done it seemed - good to know that hadn't changed much in all this time.  He was planning on moving on soon anyway - he still needed answers about why he was brought back.

"We'll find your sister, and we'll save the Vale a second time.  Happily."

Galadren says, with just a touch of sarcasm, as saving the Vale once apparently wasn't enough for the other councilmen.

"Do you know anything about this tower, or why your sister was so interested in it?"

[Melblen_Cairn]

"If I don't go with you, who's going to make sure you keep from getting yourself killed? I have lost too many friends recently and I am not intending to lose any more." Thespias confirms with a nod and a smile. "Also, I have wondered what an Orc does when struck by lightning."

"It can be a sight, Theo, let me tell you." Sandien says with similar mirth. "I will go as well."

"I have not heard the name before." the Councilman answer Tulugaqs question and then turns to Galadren's, "My sister's has also had a passion for the arcane arts, but never had the patience to practice wizardry nor was she born with any innate magic. I don't know much about the tower. I have heard rumors of a tower encased in ice in the High Forest for years. I imagine she hopes to find some magic there to bolster the power she has already been dabbling in."