Athalantan settlements other than Hastarl.  Names and reputations of Magelords and bases of operation.

But I do have a question about the nature of this library.  I don't know that I've ever seen a library not affiliated directly with Oghma, or Deneir, or a brotherhood of Mages.  How did Kryptgarden come to be?  Is it totally without ties to either the arcane or the divine?

Lexi, she responds.  I'm happy to share your camp.  What creatures do you trap?  You mention that you range across the North--what can you tell me of these lands?

Krackor and Obar

The day is relatively early, but that doesn't mean all of the taverns are closed. You return to the Lady Luck and find that while it's mostly empty, the taps are open and there's warm bread fresh from the oven to go with them. A smiling young man of about sixteen leads you to a table near the center of the taproom and brings you bread and beer. A little while later he brings you all a second round.

After he leaves, you notice a couple of greybeards at a table further toward the wall are leaning towards each other. "You know what I hear?" one of them asks in a conspiratorial tone you're just barely able to hear. "I hear the Zhentarim are planning on setting up a secret school of magic here in town. Looking to spread their web all up and down the coast, and they paid the duke a pretty gold coin for the honor."

His companions mutter amongst themselves, shaking their heads and scratching their beards.

Lexi and Harun

"Lexi. A pretty name. Of course, just about any name would be pretty this time of year. I don't see much of anybody, save the occasional orc."

Between the three of you, the camp comes together quickly. There's enough dried wood along the river to make a decent fire, and you share the fresh food you've brought from Daggerford.

"Ah, real bread," Reld sighs. "I could do without most of so-called civilization, but bread is a gift from the gods and there's no arguing. Now, what were you asking? Right. I don't really wander very far. I follow the game north of the river. Up to the edge of Ardeep Forest, east until Secomber eats all the game. I stay out of the Laughing Hollow; far too fey for my taste. They'd probably object to a little honest trapping. Saw the Crumbling Stair, once. But that was too creepy. And too far north. Too long walk with furs on my back from there."

Corym

You return after several days of identifying the magical items you took from the gnome adventurer ((ooc: More on that later.)) to be greeted by the same woman at the library. "You're in luck. The scribes were able to find a travel guide written originally in Calimshan about Athalantar, as well as a diary. They should be of help to you."

Over the next two days of detailed reading and note taking you learn a great deal of generalities about the long-vanished Realm of the Stag.

((ooc: The travel guide was written in 235 DR, the diary in 237 DR. You learn general overview of the realm up to those dates from the Dragon Magazine article on Athalantar. You also learn:

* Names of the seven "warring princes"
* Shandrath "Wyrmhumbler" was the realm's chief mage from before the days of the magelords. You learn the location of his tower "Wyrm Tower," four miles northwest of Secomber
* The following information about the magelords (all of it from the diary, most of it sketchy; it's clear the writer, a sometime farmer and forester, was terrified of them)
-- Undarl: leader, very powerful, do not cross
-- Ithboltar "The Old One": very powerful, never left Hastarl and gods be thanked for it
-- Taraj Hurlymm: lived way up the Unicorn Run, liked to grab locals and do terrible things to them, avoid like the plague (you learn the location of his compound)
-- Briost Elthauryn: wandered the realm talking to people, seemed far too friendly, go in the other direction when seen
-- Eth Junster: never shut up about killing an umber hulk (whatever that is, if it even exists), was killed three years ago, good riddance))

In reply to DM (msg # 223):

Listening hilst drinking, Krackor, as usual, doesn't always know when to stay quiet, this was one of those times, wise enough to wait though.

Leaning back "Hello, couldn't help but hear you mention the Black Network, did you know they've been kicked out of a few places lately? You'd see no tears from me though.
You say the Duke is involved!" Krackor hoped that the greybeards could see from his words he wasn't a fan but because they had intoned the words, they couldn't spread his words without giving themselves up too.

Krackor then raised his tankard and asked the group to join them. "Pull your seats around, next few rounds are on me, share your stories, we are interested as long as you can keep up" he then winked conspiractorily with his big cheery grin.

At the conclusion of the week's research, Corym was ecstatic.  Not one but two potential sites!  The Wyrm Tower and a Wizard's compound in Unicorn Run.  The fact that the librarian avoided his questions regarding the nature of the library bothered him less in the light of these findings.

He hurried back to the inn to speak with Krackor, Karilla, and Obar.  He pulls them into a room apart from the others.

"Shandrath the Wyrmhumbler was a reclusive and powerful sorcerer that erected "The Wyrmtower" seemingly overnight and was a prolific meddler in Athalantar's affairs.  His tower was "shattered" by the Magelords that came to rule Athalantar.  Of the upper levels, certainly there will be nothing left to consider, but the lower levels ought to still exist.  He seemed to have extensive scrying magics, including a glass dedicated to these purposes, some sort of construction magic (else how could he have so rapidly raised his tower), and then his 'wyrm-humbling' magicks for which he achieved his notoriety.  Probably the project will require some excavation after the location is surmised, but I have a very definite understanding of where it ought to be, and we have a period map to help contextualize what I learned in research.

"The second is a compound of one of the Magelords, Taraj Hurlymm.  Taraj ruled a settlement called Dalnir on behalf of Athalantar up in Unicorn Run.  Again, I'm very certain of the location.

"There are pages of more leads, but these are the only two that I could take us directly to."
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:36, Tue 04 Dec 2018.

Corym

While the scribes are researching, you spend your time in your room, carefully and methodically identifying the magical items you took from the gnome thief in Castle Dragonspear. In the end you're pleased. Really pleased. Which is only to be expected, since you're a thief robbing a thief.

((ooc: The four items are:
Dagger +2
Gloves of the Feline (NG)
Wand of Fog
Oil of Unlocking))

The young woman giggled a little, but her eyes widened in curiosity. "You stay out here for that long at a time? You're either very good at protecting yourself or very knowledgeable in escaping the notice of the dangers in these parts.  What does a traveler have to be wary of out here?  I've heard tales of Uthgardt barbarians and Orc Hordes, but you make your living out here.  How? This is the 'savage north' after all!"
This message was last updated by the player at 03:28, Sat 24 Nov 2018.

Krackor

"Kicked out?" the old man demands, turning to you. "The Black Network is spreading everywhere! Their caravans are in Waterdeep. Their flag is is over Llorkh and Mintarn and their people are trying to take over Red Larch and Amphail. Now our Duke's involved! They're like a kracken, spreading their tentacles around us until they crush us."

"Settle down, Iltarse," one of the other greybeards says. "Take the dwarf up on his offer and drink some more beer. Things'll look better."

"They'll look double," Iltarse mutters. He takes the offered mug, however, and drinks deeply. "The Zhentarim are coming. Mark my words. Everything we've done, everything we've fought for, is being undone. And we're too old and weak to do anything about it."

Drinking with the greybeards, "Yes, kicked out, I saw it with my own eyes, trying to be underhanded and get others into trouble, it backfired on them." Nodding at the pain in the old mans voice and expression... "You say the Duke is involved, any other influential?  My manners, forgive me, I am Krackor Steelfist, at your service"

A few days after talking with the Greybeards and looking around (usually from behind a tankard since most people seem to talk near a Dwarf when they think him non-threatening and with drink), Krackor listens to Corym.

"Interesting Corym, I have a feeling that the Mage-Tower may be full of traps but something that the Black Network are likely to use as a base if they find it.  They appear to be gaining a hold in this place and the lands around, even the Duke is supposed to be involved."  The priest hoped that this would encourage the company captain to possibly look at exposing the Zhentarim here too.

Lexi

"'The Savage North.' Good one." Reld snorts. "That's Luskan, not the backlands around Daggerford. The Uthgardt haven't been this south since their maiden queen got herself buried under the tor. Orcs the same. Oh, we've got some here, never doubt, but it's all small tribes in the hills, or fighting each other in the moor.

"Around here, you never know what you'll find. I saw a unicorn over in the Laughing Hollow, once, and another up in Ardeep. I've seen wyverns on the wing, and you better believe I hid until they were gone. I've been bitten by furry snakes and killed kobolds trying to steal from my traps. And I know there's a dragon in the moor, but I haven't gone looking for it."

He tosses some more wood on the fire and smiles as sparks leap into the air. "That's the joy of the Western Heartlands."

Krackor

You hang out with Daggerford's greybeards and their wives for several days. They're happy to pass along the latest chant as long as you keep buying.

Most of them seem to think Iltarse is a paranoid crank. The man is downright hilarious when he's not fixated on the Zhents, so you can understand why they keep him around. There's definitely some worry about the Black Network. The capture of Llorkh to the east means they've seen an increase in Zhent-flagged barges coming down the river, though interestingly not all of them seem to make it through the Laughing Hollow.

They're more worried about bandits making the trade road difficult. It seems that they were more of a problem this year than last, and there's always a worry that like starving wolves they'll band together and raid the town when winter faces them with starvation.

Iltarse, of course, insists that the Zhentarim are funding the brigands. The others don't entirely discount the idea.

((ooc: I don't want to have things drag any more than they already have what with the break. Please everyone consider yourselves gathered back in Daggerford, so you can decide where you go next.

Krackor and Lexi, if you want to continue your conversations with the locals/fur trapper, you're welcome to. We'll double-track the conversation.))

As long as I’ve established sufficient basis IC for developed a knowledge of the highways and byways in the region, I’m good.

“Now there’s a bit of business we’re best steering clear of.  We’ve done our part and doubtless there’s prices on our heads now. Don’t forget that it’s partly to escape their reach after Hill’s Edge that we now find ourselves here. Start looking for Zhent’s behind every stone and eventually you’ll find them—and be found BY them too!  That being said—I find the ruins of the tower to be the more intriguing of the two prospects. Greater Art in the tower, but perhaps more remains of the compound given how far removed it was from Hastarl. “

Corym reveals the four items plundered from the fallen gnome:

Dagger +2--Who wants?  Or just keep for barter?

Gloves of the Feline (NG)--The wearer can climb walls (80%), minimize damage from falling, attack with the claws, and jump great heights once per day.  Restricted to use by NG characters.  Full disclosure, I'm NG.  If anyone else is NG and wants them we can vote on it, but this is very much in my wheel house.

Wand of Fog--can be used by any class (nice!)  basically summon some fog.  It's a decent take for Kora, who doesn't always have good options right now, or me if I'm robbing someone, but I can borrow it in that case.

Oil of Unlocking--If I can't unlock it, we have a problem.  I tend to think that someone else should carry this in case we're separated you'll have some unlocking capabilities without me

The charter says that it all belongs (is owned by) to the company, but the Captain can distribute possession (is borrowed by) individuals.

If you'd like one of these, let me know.  .

In reply to Corym Ildroun (msg # 235):
Krackor enjoys the company of Obar, Karilla and occasionally Corym and Kora at the Tavern.  The Greycloaks and they wives just makes it even more interesting and makes the group 'appear' one of the Daggerford Regulars, he hopes.
Corym, I understand about the possible price and your concerns, I too have concerns after the ambush at the Castle.  However, my guess and it's only a guess, is that the Tower is just that, a Tower with a chance of an out building or two.  I will go with your vote though.

Krackor has a magical Dagger and would rather those who don't, to have it.
He would concur that Kora and the Wand of Fog would be a good match however, I'd also wonder if Obar would be able to use it should his mind magic not be able to help.  A Torchbearer and Wall of Fog may be counter! just a thought.
'Gloves', unless there is someone else in the party that can use them, Krackor is LG so not him, he don't mind who has them.


The priest looks over his companions as they gather once more and sees how they are so well bonded, even Harun appears to have become a secure member of the group.
* DM, I'm fine with moving it on.
* Corym, can the GoogleDoc be updated with who is a member of the Company please, I couldn't spot it anywhere
This message was last edited by the player at 23:04, Tue 04 Dec 2018.

Counting the rest as abstentions, we’ll distribute as I’ve indicated, and proceed to Secomber and from there to the tower of the Wyrmhumbler.

The priest approved of Corym's decision and poured him a large drink from the jug at the Tavern table they seem to have made their own over the last week. May Gorm grant us a passage that we can handle  Then grinned at his own words in the knowledge that this could mean a good scrap for those who needed it.

Obar, takes the first mug and quickly gulps it down and slams his mug down. "Mine seems to be empty."

He will pour himself another drink and top off the drinks of the others before slamming down his second.  He looked over at Krackor and Karilla, offering a slight grin, "Starting to feel a bit better now"   He let out a burp.  "Needed to make some room"

In reply to Obar (msg # 240):

Obar's actions raises a laugh out of Krackor who quickly refills all the mugs and raises his "To friends and finding trouble" the rye look in his eyes having a twinkle in them.

After finishing his drinks and seeing a few people slip under the table, the priest leans forward to his friends, those of his company "When do we leave?"

“I see no reason to remain beyond the time needed to supply our travel to Secomber!”

Harun and I talked with an old trapper in the woods. I feel like I’ve got a good lay of the land.

In reply to Lexanna Riggin (msg # 243):

Excellent, where are we off to then?

Group

After taking a day to restock supplies and buy some warmer clothing, you set out from Daggerford heading northeast. Lexi leads the way, keeping well north of the Laughing Hollow. Winter is starting to settle; there is frost on the grass in the morning, the skies are more grey than blue, and you can see your breath for several bells each morning.

Guided by Corym's research and map, you are eventually able to find the ruins of Wyrm Tower. There isn't much left, at first glance. Just a few low, broken walls and shattered masonry hither and yon. It takes Corym, with the group's help, several days to piece things together.

The tower is here, alright. But it was shattered in a massive magical battle. You find pieces of the walls hurled more than four hundred feet away from the foundations. The bumps in the rough ground that have been trying to break your ankles are actually pieces of the tower, dirt-covered and grassy after more than a thousand years. You dig a few up out of curiosity, and find scorch marks and acid pitting; remnants of a long ago battle.

With the tower itself lost, your attentions turn to its cellars. Guided by Corym, and working quickly before the weather turns any further and the ground starts to free, you dig away in what was once Wyrm Tower's kitchen. Towards evening, you find a staircase leading down into the earth.

It's packed with rubble, thick blocks of masonry that have been filled in between with wind-blown dirt. That might have been the end of the expedition, if it were not for Krackor. After studying the problem, the barakor shifts his spells and the next morning is able to shape a passage through the stone.

You descend into the earth. Krackor and Lexi lead the way, Kora walking beside Harun holding the light high. It's a bit of an effort for her to get her massive sword through the tunnel, but she refuses to leave it behind. The rest of you follow.

The stairs go down about fifteen feet and end in what was obviously once a pantry. There are still ceramic jars piled along the sides of the walls. Large ones seem mostly intact, smaller ones are shattered from where they fell when the shelves they were on succumbed to rot. The air is still, a thick layer of dirt and dust cover the floor, and a wooden door bound in rust-caked iron stands at the far end.

Corym checks the door carefully for traps and doesn't find any. He steps back, and Harun struggles to pull the door open. The wood has both swollen and rotted over the centuries, and after a final yank the entire door comes apart.

As its pieces rain down around Harun, an elderly male voice speaks from the air around you. "I... think..." It stops, stutters. "not... think... kniht... I."

Time around you slows. The door's timbers hang in the air, the dust shines in Kora's light. You can see yourselves, your perceptions both behind your eyes and in the room at large, watching as your heads slowly turn towards the noise.

Ribbons of light burst from the ceiling. They shimmer and sinuously snake through the air, each moment a different color. They are generally reaching towards you, but they stagger and sway, as though a cobra had spent far too long at the tavern and now wasn't entirely certain where the mouse was.

Your thoughts clear and fast but your bodies slowed like molasses on a winter morning, you're unable to move as the ribbons reach out for you. One leans through the air toward Krackor but sails over his head by more than a foot. It wraps around one of the large ceramic jars on the floor, then thickens and pulses. Both ribbon and jar wink out at the same time.

Frantic now, you try to run, but barely manage to lift a foot before more ribbons are upon you. All of the are flailing like blind eels, but there are too many for them to avoid you entirely.

Lexi is the first to disappear. A black ribbon edged in green wraps around her arm. It tightens and seems to suck light from the surrounding air. Then both it and her are gone.

Harun and Obar are grabbed around the ankles by a blue ribbon and disappear together. Karilla isn't grabbed so much as she is hit over the head by a red ribbon. She vanishes, cross-eyed.

Another ribbon flails towards Corym. It seems to want to wrap around his torso, but all it manages to do is slam into his stomach, while doing the same to Krackor and Kora.

Ice spreads out from the impact. Your mind tries to process while your body still hasn't figured out whether it's going to crumple. Then the ice flashes hot, and your vision goes black.

You're in a void, with nothing save an impression of flying and flipping. A scent of wet forest dirt an dry stone fills your nostrils. And then you are standing somewhere completely different.