[DnD4E] Snowbody's Keep on the Shadowfell (IC)

[Snowbody]

Realms, both wondrous and dire, border the world. One such realm is the Shadowfell. Although not inherently evil, the Shadowfell is fraught with dangers, and the barrier between worlds can be thin. Sometimes the darkness breaks into the light.

Nearly two hundred years ago, a cult of the demon prince Orcus purposely created such a gap, connecting one of Orcus’s unholy Shadowfell sites to the world. Skeletons, zombies, and fouler creatures flooded through the rift into the light of day. The empire of Nerath dispatched legionnaires to eliminate the threat. The empire’s soldiers destroyed the undead, sealed the opening, and built a keep to watch over the location and contain the threat. This is the site known as the Keep on the Shadowfell.

Time passes and empires fall, and even Nerath wasn’t immune to the ravages of time. The once-great human empire collapsed almost a century ago, and only memories remain of its glory remain.

The Story So Far:
Seeking their missing mentor, a group of four adventurers headed towards Winterhaven, a small farming/artisanal/trading village. Dispatching some kobold raiders with ease, they arrived at the town and discovered that Douven was seeking treasure at a rumored dragon burial site. They intended to set out to rescue him right away, even though it was getting late, but were prevented from doing so due to an arson fire at one of the nearby farms. A guard tried to stop them from leaving through the gate. Not to be deterred, they pushed ahead and ran into the main group of guards who had just contained the fire. In trouble for breaking some town regulations, they healed the injured guards, but wound up under arrest anyway. The Captain of the guards befriended them and showed them a secret exit from the barracks. It was a water tunnel, which contained a swarm of rats and rapidly flooded. They barely escaped, emerging in the town graveyard. They encountered several suspicious incidents, leading to the deaths of two suspected cult members. A party member left. They continued to the burial site, bushwhacking through forest, springing traps and acquiring a new party member. They defeated the thugs and rescued Douven from captivity, and then spent an uneasy night in the campsite. Several clues indicated that these thugs may be connected to the cultists and the kobolds. The next morning they recovered a box that was the object of Douven's (and the thugs') search, but before they could set out they were ambushed by kobolds. This fight wasn't much harder than the previous one, and they successfully returned to Winterhaven. They were put on trial and mostly vindicated, though they were required to deal with the kobold problem. Another party member swap occurred. Now they are investigating the artifact they found, and gathering more information in town.

[Snowbody]

Current OOC thread: https://forums.giantitp.com/showthread.php?t=240675
Former OOC thread: https://forums.giantitp.com/showthread.php?t=189462

Current IC thread: this one
Former IC thread: https://forums.giantitp.com/showthread.php?t=189461
Former split-party threads: https://forums.giantitp.com/showthread.php?t=203327
https://forums.giantitp.com/showthread.php?t=236911

[Snowbody]

Valthrun sighs, and softens a little. "A moment if you please. Paladin, I did not desire to offend you, and I apologize. I've gone about this all wrong. I've been we both had the chance to get what we wanted and it looks like now I won't. It's just...well...I'm only able to study books now that I'm old and can't travel. I've studied everything worth studying about the people of Winterhaven, but when you came to town, so...different, so turbulent, so ephemeral--there's so much to discover about you! You're all so unique, so fascinating! Thank you, Alessa, for your kind offer to stay and talk with Jarvis and me. Barbarian, you obviously have stories to tell, but perhaps now is not the best time for you." His eyes are finally showing some compassion.
"There's no danger now that I've set up the protective circle. I'm fairly sure the box itself is safe--it's obviously a Nerath containment coffer-- but what's inside will probably be magical. Thus the circle for protection."

[Lycan 01]

"I find it amusing that he does not wish to pester me with questions," Zimelda smirks playfully. "Though, last time he tried, he insulted me on accident and I was rather blunt in my warnings..."

She then looks at the old sage and smiles. "Worry not, I have become slightly better at controlling my temper. I even told someone 'thank you' earlier. As I told them earlier, my traveling companions are proving to be a bad influence on me." As she says this, she steps between Arjhan and Mertes and playfully elbows them in the sides. "Though, forgive me if I do seem a bit curt and cross right now. Being arrested, questioned, flirted with, and forced to take on two young troublemakers as my temporary protegees has been quite trying on my patience," she laments.

[tedthehunter]

Arjhan responds in kind to Zimelda's playful elbow, "Speaking of bad influences."

"I accept your apology, Sage Valthrun. I sympathize with your thirst for knowledge. Another time, perhaps, I would happily tell you any story I can tell. Presently, however, I am of a mind with Zimelda. We have work to do, and I would see my friend Douven healed. I'm sure we'll speak upon our return from dealing with the kobold threat." Arjhan tilts his head respectfully to Valthrun, and waits for his friends to be ready to leave.

[Snowbody]

"Sounds like an interesting story, Lady Zimelda, and I'd love to hear it when you have time. But now I have only one question for you, Lady Zimelda. Your superiors didn't rise to power by ignoring the personality traits of those around them. They would have been able to see that you would be susceptible to influence by non-Drow ideals. Why, then, did they send you on this mission?"

He sets down the box in the middle of the circle, and picks up an arcane instrument from the table, moving it over all the sides of the box.

[Lycan 01]

Zimelda nods. "Yes, influence by non-Drow ideals and culture was a possibility, but that actually contributes to my goal. My orders are simple: explore the Surface World and its civilizations, until I am given a signal to return. I am to learn whatever I can about the terrain, culture, history, food, weapon, tactics, ecosystems, cooking techniques, religions... Anything and everything."

Her mouth then curls into a smirk. "You are familiar with the phrase 'know your enemy,' are you not?"

[Dekkah]

Mertes
The goliath give an a weak but sincere smile to the man,
"I do enjoy tell my stories, but you were right as we are in some hurry. I still want to see how Douven is fairing and we have to prepare for our departure. I'll go with those two youngling to gather their equipment for the road and I'll catch you all up at the temple with Douven. Good day sir Valthrun."
He turn to the two young mens and tells them,
"Alright, lets go to your homes and pack."
As he walks out with the boys, he tells them,
"You two better behave and follow our orders kids. You might think you are strong, and you may be, but what we are gonna do is dangerous. We have a saying in my tribe that is quite fitting for your situation : A young pup who follow his pack survive longer than a strong lone wolf."
The goliath look at the two boy reaction over his shoulder and say in any case,
"The meaning of this is that we are stronger as a group than alone. As I said to your lord, I'll take care of you two as I do for the rest of the group. I do consider you as part of our group now and you should share your serious ideas with us. That being said, we still have more experience than you : you should follow our lead and try to learn from us."

[Snowbody]

"Ahh, the confusion of language. No, I wasn't talking about you absorbing the details of post-Empire culture. I was talking about the likelihood that your, shall we say, loyalties could possibly be swayed. You look to be on the way to becoming friends with some of us Surface Worlders. We both know what happens when a Drow matriarch thinks one of her underlings is likely to stop obeying her orders. Which brings up the question of why you were even allowed on the Surface without someone to keep track of you. Were you a troublemaker back in the Underdark?" One of the instruments he's holding begins glowing. "Ah, I was right! Genuine Nerath transport coffer. Serial number seems to have been corroded right off, that's a pity. Class C, prevents active magical effects and blocks scrying unless it's completely open, good we don't have to worry about that."

---

The boys follow Mertes out the door and down the stairs, as if in a daze. They seem quite unsure as Mertes imparts his wisdom. Finally Goyle speaks up: "We've got our pack, it's Crabbe and me, and my dad's the chief. We look out for each other. That's why you shoved Lady Zimelda away, isn't it?" Crabbe mumbles something inaudible and continues to pay attention to his feet. "Goyle! Don't do something that stupid again!" He good-naturedly shoves Crabbe in the shoulder. "No hard feelings man?"

"S'alright." Crabbe seems to return to reality. "So you want serious ideas huh? How about this--I know someone who goes by the Keep. Is that what you mean?"

[Lycan 01]

Zimelda frowns. "My loyalties are unwavering. Though I see what you are trying to say. Upon my return, though, I will be seen as an asset to my people, not a liability. And no, I was not a troublemaker. In fact, I was rather well-regarded among my order," she smirks.

[Snowbody]

"Has there ever been, to your knowledge, any other Drow sent on a mission of such importance without a minder or spy following to report back on her activities?" He fiddles with the latches on the side of the case.

[Lycan 01]

Zimelda stares at the floor, deep in thought. Her eyes begin to show a mixture of confusion and concern.

Spoiler

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Anybody who wants to interject or something, feel free.

[Shadow_Elf]

Alessa
I lived with the drow of the Underdark for some time. If they have a rival, they kill them and hide the body, and society goes on as if they never existed. I find it unlikely Zimelda was sent to the Surface World as punishment.

[Snowbody]

"My research confirms Miss Alessa's impression. If they wanted you out of their hair, for whatever reason, they'd have sent an assassin after you the first day you left the Underdark. You'd have been easy enough to track, what with attracting angry mobs. How long were you on the surface before you fell in with your current band? Ah, that's it." He pops open one of the latches is about to open the cover. "As for you, Miss Alessa, how did you journey from the Elemental Chaos to the Underdark? I've always been interested in the nitty-gritty of interplanar travel."

[Shadow_Elf]

Alessa
Akta Kalim, the sorceress whose soul I bear, exchanged her soul for the elemental power to defeat a lich sworn to the Horned One. I am the result of her soul wandering the Elemental Chaos after the exchange. I was summoned to the Underdark by a group of novice necromancers wanting revenge on their masters. That is where my journey began, explains the elemental matter-of-factly.

[Snowbody]

"Was this before or after the fall of Nerath? Summoned? Any idea why you didn't just pop back to the Elemental Chaos when the summoning ritual expired?" He can't quite work the latch open. "My fingers aren't as nimble...would you? It's perfectly safe."

---

1
Arjhan and Mertes escort the boys towards their home on the south side of town. It's a long building with several doors, obviously consisting of multiple separate living units - a tenement.

Goyle Sr. is there, just about done packing his belongings onto the mulecart. "Dad! You're free!?" calls the younger Goyle excitedly. He rushes over to hug his dad.

"Yeah, I'm free. Free as a bird. For the first time since I laid eyes on that bloody harridan," says the father. He slips out of his son's hug and continues strapping stuff down on the cart.

"So you got banished? I'll get my stuff, I guess Crabbe should come too?" He seems to have quickly forgotten what Lord Padraig ordered.

Goyle waves his hand aimlessly in the air as he speaks: "No, don't you get it, you simpleton? I'm free -- no job, no lease, no brats, no responsibilities. I'm finally free of this backwoods town. Get away as soon as you can, before you get so desperate as to think one of these wenches is attractive, but don't go looking for me."

The boy is speechless.

"At least you didn't take up with the Drow witch." Having secured his goods, he climbs onto the cart and snaps the reins, but the mule doesn't move.

Crabbe has his hands balled into fists again.

[Lycan 01]

"I would say I've been up here a week or so short of four months," Zimelda idly muses. Seeing Valthrun's distress, she casually works the latch and tries to open it for him.

[Shadow_Elf]

Alessa
It has been roughly four years since my summoning, and only about two months since my ascent to the surface world. I am kept on this plane because it is my soul's native plane, allowing me to anchor myself to this plane of existence. I use humanoid sustenance such as food and water to fuel the magics that keep that anchor strong.

[Dekkah]

Mertes

The goliath nod at Crabbe and is about to say something when he spot Goyle Sr. ahead an hold his thought.

He say nothing and wait to see how things turn out. As the young Goyle mention fleeing with his father, Mertes is about to say something, but Goyle Sr. beat him to it. Feeling sad for the young man who is being disowned like that, the barbarian still take note that he will have to talk with the boy to set his priorities strait later.

Sensing the young man fury, the goliath stay a step behind the kid, ready to grab him if he try decide to go against his dad.

Spoiler

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Mertes does have doubt about Goyle Sr. real intensions. He check out his body language to see if he is really wanting to leave and let everything behind (really packing all his stuff and all), or if he is simply puting his son aside not to implicate the boy in something he want to do/will do here later.
(1D20+3)[23]

[tedthehunter]

Arjhan watches in disbelief as Goyle Sr. disowns his son in such an off-hand manner. He moves to a position where he can stop Goyle Jr. or Crabbe from fighting if things escalate.

Then he says to Goyle Sr. with a look of utter contempt, "I think it's time you went on your way." And with that, Arjhan delivers a sharp smack to the mule's flank, in an attempt to get it moving.

[Snowbody]

"I would say I've been up here a week or so short of four months," Zimelda idly muses. Seeing Valthrun's distress, she casually works the latch and tries to open it for him.

"Thank you. Four months, you'd have seen some trace of your tail by now. All of your gear is from below? Did you check it for scrying enchantments?" The coffer opens to reveal a mirror, glass and bronze, with minimal adornment but of high quality, resting on velvet cushions. "Hmm." Valthrun seems to have gotten an idea.

Alessa
It has been roughly four years since my summoning, and only about two months since my ascent to the surface world. I am kept on this plane because it is my soul's native plane, allowing me to anchor myself to this plane of existence. I use humanoid sustenance such as food and water to fuel the magics that keep that anchor strong.

"Fascinating! A method of I never considered! A way to make a summon effectively permanent! Given that the soul formerly inhabited a sorceress, but the body is native to the Elemental Chaos..." he mutters to himself "...average planar distance...elastic repatriation force...well I'll do those calculations later. Just a word of advice, don't mess around with any portals, and try not to let your form get too disrupted -- I can't be sure whether you'd be instantly returned to the Elemental Chaos, become disembodied, or just cease to be. But as a student of history, I'm wondering how long ago your former incarnation battled with the lich? Was that during the time of Nerath? Or even earlier? What was the great empire of the day? Bael Turath? Arkhosia? The minotaurs?" He taps the mirror, its surface still perfectly smooth after countless years. "Ritual focus, I'd put my money on it."

---

1

Mertes

The goliath nod at Crabbe and is about to say something when he spot Goyle Sr. ahead an hold his thought.

He say nothing and wait to see how things turn out. As the young Goyle mention fleeing with his father, Mertes is about to say something, but Goyle Sr. beat him to it. Feeling sad for the young man who is being disowned like that, the barbarian still take note that he will have to talk with the boy to set his priorities strait later.

Sensing the young man fury, the goliath stay a step behind the kid, ready to grab him if he try decide to go against his dad.

"What about telling jokes? What about reading St. Cuthbert? What about cooking together?"

"All in the past."

Arjhan watches in disbelief as Goyle Sr. disowns his son in such an off-hand manner. He moves to a position where he can stop Goyle Jr. or Crabbe from fighting if things escalate.

Then he says to Goyle Sr. with a look of utter contempt, "I think it's time you went on your way." And with that, Arjhan delivers a sharp smack to the mule's flank, in an attempt to get it moving.

The mule suddenly charges off, surprising Goyle, who sprawls backwards into the cart. Regaining his seat, he gets control of the mule and directs the cart toward the gate. With a wordless cry of anger, Crabbe tries to kick at the cart as it goes past; good thing Mertes and Arjhan are there to restrain him and save him from potential injury.

[Dekkah]

Mertes
The goliath say nothing to the young man, but make sure he doesnt try to follow.

Once his father is gone, he simply say,
"He is doing what is best for you two. He doesnt want you to be branded as deserters. Lets be done with our actual mission and gain some more experience, then you may make your own way in life and maybe you'll see him again. Gather your own stuff kids and lets go meet with the others."

Spoiler

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I have more to say (and ask) but I prefer to see their reaction to this first :))

[tedthehunter]

Arjhan looks on with sympathy while Mertes speaks to Crabbe and Goyle. When he is finished, Arjhan speaks up, saying, "Mertes is right, men. This is an unfortunate occurrence, but take heart! Now you are the masters of your own destinies. It has come time for you to take charge of your own lives. Now gather your things, we have work to do." Arjhan then stiffens and raises his fist to his chest in salute to the two young men.

Then Arjhan says quietly so only Mertes can hear, "I think we should start their training immediately. If we address them as men rather than boys, it may help to clear their minds of this unfortunate incident. We should begin treating them as soldiers in training of the watch. When they finish packing, maybe you could teach them to salute properly."

[Shadow_Elf]

Alessa
Either it was long before Nerath was even conceived, or it took place on an altogether different Material Plane. By the time Akta made the exchange, the lich had conquered most of the continent where she lived. I do not know the outcome; for all I know, she failed to stop him and that realm has been a hell of undeath for eons, or perhaps only for a couple of years. Once her soul left her body, my knowledge of her life is lost.

[Dekkah]

Mertes
The goliath nod to Arhjan and tells him,
"I agree. I'll let you show them discipline, that is not really my specialty."

[Lycan 01]

"This gear is my own, as it has always been. It was not provided to me or tampered upon by anyone else. Any examinations I have done have revealed nothing, though if you wish to examine it, you may attempt to do so," Zimelda states.

She then smirks. "But I'm not taking anything off for you, if that's what you were hoping for."

[Snowbody]

Mertes
"He is doing what is best for you two. He doesnt want you to be branded as deserters. Lets be done with our actual mission and gain some more experience, then you may make your own way in life and maybe you'll see him again. Gather your own stuff kids and lets go meet with the others."

Crabbe, denied a chance to vent his rage, rams ineffectually into Arjhan and Mertes, then slumps down in a sulk. "What a jerk."

Goyle turns to the heroes and pleads, "Why didn't you stop him? He's my dad!"

"Mertes is right, men. This is an unfortunate occurrence, but take heart! Now you are the masters of your own destinies. It has come time for you to take charge of your own lives. Now gather your things, we have work to do." Arjhan then stiffens and raises his fist to his chest in salute to the two young men.

"But, but, but, I can't be a man yet! Dad left before we did the rite of passage!"

---

1

Alessa
Either it was long before Nerath was even conceived, or it took place on an altogether different Material Plane. By the time Akta made the exchange, the lich had conquered most of the continent where she lived. I do not know the outcome; for all I know, she failed to stop him and that realm has been a hell of undeath for eons, or perhaps only for a couple of years. Once her soul left her body, my knowledge of her life is lost.

"The history of this continent records nothing like what you described, so it wasn't here. It's an elementary principle that there's only one of each Plane, but....hmm..." He pauses his condescending words to exchange his equipment for a pair of spectacles a few books from one of the nearby bookcases. He holds onto one (it resembles a ritual book) but presents the second one to Alessa. Its title appears to be in an old form of Common: Worldes Above, Belowe, and Sydeweyse. "The author was an expert in the dynamics of the Planes, until he went mad. Accidentally glimpsed the Far Realm, probably. This book was his final opus, where he proposes different worlds within the same Plane, separated from each other by vast gaps, sharing similar traits, but perhaps able to reach each other if the enormous distances can be traversed. Most dismissed it as the ramblings of a madman, but there's nothing that theoretically prevents it. So your supposition could be on the right track: from another world, like this one but different. The book has a primer on the planes at the beginning; it's so simplified you might even be able to understand it."

Jarvis contributes, "Talking with Valthrun has helped me remember some slivers of my past. I, too, was ripped from my native plane while guarding against evil, and bound to this one."

[Snowbody]

That elicits a chuckle from Valthrun. "No, madam, not the kind of research I was considering. My lusts have only been for knowledge." He concentrates for a second. "You do have a magical item, but it is divine magic. Probably your holy symbol." This is news to Zimelda. "Anyway, back to the artifact. No active magical auras...there's a passive effect, probably the ritual it was a focus for. This will take a few minutes." He begins reading a chant from his ritual book.

Zimelda:

Spoiler

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The next time Zimelda takes a short rest and examines her holy symbol, she will find that it is now a +1 Symbol of Excellence:
{table=head]Symbol of Excellence|Level 2
{colsp=2}Your devotion to your divine patron inspires others to attain the heights of excellence.
{colsp=2}[div]

Lvl 2 +1 520 gp

[/div][div]Implement (Holy Symbol)[/div][div]Enhancement: attack rolls and damage rolls for powers with the Implement keyword[/div][div]Critical: +1d6 damage per plus (Implement attacks only)[/div]
{colsp=2}Power (Daily): Minor Action. Grant one ally within 10 squares of you a power bonus to his or her next attack roll, ability check, or skill check equal to the symbol’s enhancement bonus.[/table]
Source: Dragon 365, "Bazaar of the Bizarre"

Unfortunately, Zimelda's only implement attack is Turn Undead.

The "Lolth's Boon" bonus may be applied to this instead of to the Divine Fortune.

[Shadow_Elf]

Alessa
The water elemental is annoyed at the slight upon her intelligence, but has yet to master conveying annoyance to her artificially crafted face, so her expression remains impassive as she accepts the book and begins to leaf through it. I shall have to leave this plane eventually, Sage Valthrun. I must finish what my predecessor started; I will not rest until I am destroyed, or I have seen the true death of the Demon Prince of Undeath. My trials on this plane are but a proving ground to master my abilities; one day, perhaps decades or centuries from now, I shall return to my home to wage war on the Abyss, she states matter-of-factly as she engrosses herself in the pages of the proffered book.

[Dekkah]

Mertes
The goliath reply to the young man,
"We cannot stop hi, he have been banned from this land. That would be against Lord Padraig orders. He might not be the best father, but he is doing what he thing is best for you."
As the young man talk about rite of passage,
"I have no clue of what your rite of passage is, and I dont want insult you in your beleifs, but for me it isnt the rite itself that make someone a man. Right now you're becoming a man, not by your own choice, but by your father's as you have to take care of yourself. You have to be strong now, your destiny is in your own hands now."