General Summary
Alter in the Woods
Accompanying Kona and her cart filled with goods for the festival, the heroes snake through the forest and into the Grey Mountain hinterlands. As they climb, the path splits, and they leave Kona to guard her wares and follow a trail to a strange alter. They approach, and are beset by a pack of hungry Wargs. Battle ensues and before long, the party is victorious and they see an injured
Dragon Circle flame priest, burns climbing up his body, a book clutched in his hands.
Eschelon lays hands and heals the wretch, and he reveals the alter is last rite of passage for the followers of
Talwart. The believers must place their hands upon the alter, kneel, and invoke the words of the dark tongue.
A quick investigation of the area reveals an inscription in stone, written in the black speech of Mordor:
Baavhe alnej shal avhe afaverbiravh ro avhe kulkodar
The injured Dragon Priest expresses his gratitiude, and willingness to reform. His name is
Mace Maleficum, and he reveals there is a contingent of Dragon Worshipers that are not loyal to Talwart. And that, in fact, they are attempting to wrest control of the faction away from his evil hands. Agreeing to part ways, Mace agrees to meet the heroes back in Anghor once they arrive.
The book his holds is a strange tome called
The Book of Letters. Mace says it is of great importance to his people, and entrusts its safety to the part. They thank him, and look to find a way to translate its strange language. They continue on from here, deeper into the mountain passes.
