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07:36, 29th March 2024 (GMT+0)

IV - The Forest of Lothenar.

Posted by Dungeon MasterFor group 0
Dungeon Master
GM, 150 posts
Fri 22 May 2020
at 21:55
  • msg #1

IV - The Forest of Lothenar

The high priest parted company with the adventurers at the cabin, intoning a solemn vow in the name of a Idris that none of the company members would ever encounter him again. He then ventured south, quickly passing out of sight.

It required a two day trek through the northern foothills of the Mengul Mountains to reach the edge of the Lothenar Forest. The company came upon the woods a short time after dawn on their third day of travel.

If the forest appeared welcoming in the days when it was ruled by the elves, that time has been long forgotten. The long limbs of the ancient trees have formed a dense, overarching canopy that virtually blocks all sunlight within the woodland, the narrow route between the gnarled trunks as dim as passages within a cavern. Tall reeds rise in patches from the marshy ground, and the constant drone of flying insects provides the only sound. The air is heavy, humid, and still.

After scouting the edge of the forest, the company locates a northbound trail, once frequently used, now neglected and overgrown; likely a route once traveled by the elves and their allies. Venturing beneath the thick curtain of leaves, the adventurers press forward into the gloom, finding just enough light within the wood to see their pathway clearly, without the need of a torch or lantern.

An hour passes, and the company arrives at a fork in the trail. The route they have been following continues to the north through the dense shadows. The branching pathway appears to be just as old as the northern one. It veers to the northeast winding between a number of towering cypress trees before halting at a structure of some kind, the details of which are difficult to discern in the dimness.

The forest remains quiet. Only the hum of insects keeps the area from total silence. No birds call from the branches above and no animals stir amongst the reeds.
Greyband
player, 175 posts
AC 2, HP 40/40
THACO 17
Sat 23 May 2020
at 23:12
  • msg #2

IV - The Forest of Lothenar

Greyband was not ecstatic at the deal struck with the evil priest, but he understood the pragmatism of it and did not protest. Now that the group is back on the mission, he has a sense of focus.

That sense of focus leaves him only mildly alarmed by the lack of natural sounds in the woods. He expects some things to be wrong with this place; this seemed to fit. That being said, he has his hands ready to draw his mighty blade at the least provocation at this point, and refrains from chit-chat that might draw casual attention. The clanking of his armor is bad enough!
Neuken Orulto
player, 147 posts
AC 8
HP 28/28
Sun 24 May 2020
at 02:43
  • msg #3

IV - The Forest of Lothenar

Lothenar Forest is so delightfully gloomy that Neuken is tempted to break into song and dance.  Nary a streak of light penetrates the blessedly accursed tree canopy, and even the forest animals seem to have the good sense to speak only when spoken to.

The malicious mage is seriously thinking of retiring here when his days of adventurous lechery are behind him.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:44, Sun 24 May 2020.
Jarder Mehro
player, 125 posts
Human-Cutpurse (Thief)
AC:4, HP:21/21, THACO: 17
Sun 24 May 2020
at 18:00
  • msg #4

IV - The Forest of Lothenar

Multiple times during the two-day trek, Jarder asks, "How are we going to avoid that dragon again?"

                                           ~~~

At the fork in the trail, the scout motions for Greyband to cease his clanking and pads on up the structure to have a look see.
Orin Starshine
player, 93 posts
Hit Points: 36
AC: 0
Sun 24 May 2020
at 20:27
  • msg #5

IV - The Forest of Lothenar

Knowing his own armour was just as noisy, Orin stopped with Greyband and let Jarder move forward alone.  The dwarf eyed the surrounding forest warily, perpetually uneasy since they'd entered its dismal environs and determined to stay alert despite the oppressive humidity and the lulling drone of insects.
Patch
player, 124 posts
Mysterious Curate
AC2, HP: 35/35
Mon 25 May 2020
at 05:26
  • msg #6

IV - The Forest of Lothenar

Patch rode his massive boar and pulled on the rope attached to a ring in the hog's nose, compelling the creature to stop while the more stealthy members of the party advanced. From beneath his worn and faded traveling robes and the cover of his multi-patched cloak - the very garment from which he'd gotten his nickname - could be heard the occasional clank of armor as well.

"Whoa there J.D. Let's rest a moment while the others take a look."

Though not as enamored with the dark forest as Neuken obviously was, the old cleric of the God of Mysteries found the location compelling, for there were discoveries to be made and secrets to be uncovered in shadowy places such as this.

As Patch contemplated such things, his eyes scanned the forest, especially the trees for hidden foes or malicious residents who might take their intrusion personally.
Dungeon Master
GM, 151 posts
Mon 25 May 2020
at 21:02
  • msg #7

IV - The Forest of Lothenar

Keeping close watch on the surrounding foliage, the adventurers perceive no threats nearby. For the moment, the forest remains still.

Venturing close to the shadowy structure, Jarder can see that it is a ruin. The ancient hall was clearly once impressive, a work of careful craftsmanship. Some of the symbols and motifs carved around the twin entrance doors suggest to the thief that the building was of elven construction.

Portions of the structure appear to have been burned and in spots Jarder can see some dark stains that he cannot readily identify. Much of the building’s exterior is covered in creeping vines and on the hall’s western side, a large tree has fallen onto it, crushing a portion of the roof.

Observing the hall for a long moment, Jarder sees no movement with it, or anywhere in its vicinity.
Jarder Mehro
player, 126 posts
Human-Cutpurse (Thief)
AC:4, HP:21/21, THACO: 17
Mon 25 May 2020
at 23:11
  • msg #8

IV - The Forest of Lothenar

Jarder likes ruins. They're less likely to have traps and more likely to have loot. True, they tended to have guardians or squatters (as the dark stains would seem to attest to), but that's why he didn't travel alone. He motions to the others to join him on the western side of the ancient Elven hall where the collapsed tree has created an ingress and then picks his way inside.
Jayanti
player, 91 posts
Elf
Tue 26 May 2020
at 20:43
  • msg #9

IV - The Forest of Lothenar

Jayanti examines the dissipated runes, trying to decipher what his ancestors may have tried to convey.
Orin Starshine
player, 94 posts
Hit Points: 36
AC: 0
Tue 26 May 2020
at 23:34
  • msg #10

IV - The Forest of Lothenar

At Jarder's signal Orin said quietly to Patch and Greyband, "C'mon lads," and the hiked over to where the thief waited for them.  He wiped the sweat from his brow with the back of his hand blew through his beard.  "Muggy," he explained to no one in particular.
Patch
player, 125 posts
Mysterious Curate
AC2, HP: 35/35
Wed 27 May 2020
at 00:31
  • msg #11

IV - The Forest of Lothenar

Patch nudged his mount, who grunted in protest - as he always did - but it was without any real conviction. The enormous boar sauntered over and nosed about while the cleric dismounted and began to poke around himself.

"Remind me, are we in a particular hurry to save the world? I'd enjoy a bit of exploration in this most interesting place..."
Neuken Orulto
player, 148 posts
AC 8
HP 28/28
Wed 27 May 2020
at 09:01
  • msg #12

IV - The Forest of Lothenar

“I’m not sure that hurrying to our destination is a good idea.  Just a hunch, but I suspect the enemy will be less well prepared for us if we delay.  Besides, old ruins such as this have so much... possibility.”
Greyband
player, 177 posts
AC 2, HP 40/40
THACO 17
Thu 28 May 2020
at 00:44
  • msg #13

IV - The Forest of Lothenar

Greyband smirks. "You all are being chatty about the obvious course. Come on, to the ruins."

He follows Jarder's lead, trusting the man's keen eyes.
Dungeon Master
GM, 152 posts
Thu 28 May 2020
at 04:39
  • msg #14

IV - The Forest of Lothenar

Pausing to examine the symbols near the front entrance, Jayanti is able to pick out a handful of sigils associated with blessings of the Fae and certain forest spirits. She is also able to translate the characters over the double doors, which read, ”The Hall of Denolas”.

Following Jarder through the breach in the hall’s roof, the adventurers find themselves in a chamber that was clearly once a finely furnished bedroom. In the southwest corner of the room are the remnants of a sizeable oak bed. Against the northern wall a smashed dresser lies in pieces, shards of a shattered mirror lying amongst the wooden fragments. The northwest corner is occupied by a vacant wardrobe, the door of which is missing, cobwebs filling the interior.

The lone exit is a single door on the eastern wall, which has been scorched and pitted by flame.
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