Module #3: Trade in the Spine

Written by RiverFang

Finding hoards of treasure buried within a goblin cave is fairly normal, but crates of trade goods marked with the symbol of a drow house is much more unsettling. As the duo returns to Yllvalion to report their findings to the guild and Faelyn Lightfoot, an unsettling quiet sets in. The former paladin is stopped in her tracks and that hesitation leads to Corril and Thezgig to meet with the leader of the Knights of Yggdrasil, Elduin Ylyndar.
The meeting, while not unsettling, speaks of unknown problems, something much deeper than a rampart goblin hoard. It is explained that the goods found in the goblin lair were trade goods that were the property of House Baenre, a drow trading family known throughout the Underdark and the surface. These types of goods were often moved by the Llanowar Clan, a family of barbarians from the Spine of Kallex. If these goods were found this far north of the normal route and were unattended, something had occurred that was potentially bad.
The duo were told to wait one week and then return to the Ylmaris Citadel for further instructions. After a week, they returned and were told that they were to travel to a base camp of the Llanowars, on the eastern side of the peaks that surrounded the "Metallic Council". There, they would find Selsvir Llanowar and work with him to determine what had occurred. Their journey would not be easy, and would possibly take weeks or months. The two adventurers were given two days to prepare before they set out.
Upon reaching the base camp, it was in shambles. A small note scratched in a tree at the decimated site told the pair to go to Leverion, the permanent settlement of the nomadic Llanowars near the eastern end of Qimbyr Pass. The journey would take weeks, but the urgency of the matter would spur them on.

Relations

Protagonists

Corril Bisharp
Thezgig Maurstorn

Allies

Faelyn Lightfoot, half-elf guild leader of the Dagger Guild, owner of the Snowcaps Inn, known for her brewing of various ales and wines throughout the year and her somewhat no-nonsense attitude towards fighting and stupidity in her inn. May or may not be a trained paladin/barbarian and can smite you if she chooses.
Lerin Liadon, elf captain of the guards, in charge of those in the Knights that are not paladins, formally trained as a battlemaster, but is proficient in mounted combat and prefers to spend his time with the barbarians in the city.
Farcan Elfir, resident weapons master and blacksmith outside of the Knights of Yggdrasil, gets along well with Vaalyun but prefers to train those in the Knights that are not paladins
Jorann Prilmil, silver dragonborn cleric, resident cleric of the city, often trains when she can with the Knights of Yggdrasil.
Elduin Ylyndar, leader of the Knights of Yggdrasil and head of the Ylyndar Clan
Selsvir Llanowar, leader of the Llanowar Clan and trade mercenaries for the drow House Baenre

Backdrops

Locations

Yllvalion is a large city resting against the edge of the Spine of Kallex. The city, roughly 2 miles across, is home to a variety of buildings and the very large Ylmaris Citadel. Some farms can be found in the sparse forest close to the city, but a majority of the southern outskirts is dense forest while the northern edge is frozen tundra.
The Spine of Kallex is the largest mountain range in Isekai, stretching from the northern part of Vóreios to the southern coast. Its tall peaks and deep valleys are home to a variety of peoples and creatures, including the Council of Metallic Dragons which can be found in the area known as the "Metallic Council".
The "Metallic Council" is the valley that serves as home for the Metallic Dragons of the northern continent. It is shrouded in mystery and only the dragons go there.
Leverion is the permanent settlement of the Llanowar Clan, but the village will often move as the Llanowars travel throughout the year. During the winter months, the village is situated at the eastern end of Qimbyr Pass.
Qimbyr Pass is the safest way to cross the Spine of Kallex from the east to the west. It started as a game trail but now has magical protections to aid travelers.

Threats

One of the greatest threats to the group will be the snow and the cold temperatures. Travel will take a lot of time and the pair will spend much of their time outside in the elements. As they travel further south, it will become slightly warmer, but the cold and snow will follow them throughout their journey. Various creatures, such as bears, wolves, and the creatures causing the happenings will be found in the area. As they spend more time in the area, the probability of running into a variety of creatures increases.

Encounters

Just ideas for random encounters. More information will be decided when the number of players is decided for sure.

Encounter #1

This encounter includes 3 black bears stumbling into the camp late at night.
Black Bear

Encounter #2

This encounter includes the party running into a pack of wolves (5 + 1 alpha that does an extra d4 of damage)
Wolf

Encounter #3

The thick forest of the Spine has the party running into creatures of the trees.
Twig Blight
Needle Blight

Encounter #4

This encounter includes running across a grouping of trees that are covered in a tangle of vines. This area contains 3 vine blights.
Vine Blight

Encounter #5

Throughout the night, the group hears the sounds of what seems to be a group of black bears and wolves fighting over territory. If they adventure out, they will come across a bear and 2 wolves fighting in a clearing.
Wolf
Black Bear

Encounter #6

The party stumbles upon a group of wild boars.
Boar

Encounter #7

While searching through the woods, the party finds 4 goblins and 1 hobgoblin attempting to carry away various items, such as meat, fruit, other goods that seem taken from the tower and the surrounding towns. The hobgoblin can call more goblins to him if needed.
Goblin
Hobgoblin
More encounters to be added as the group travels.

Treasure

Treasure will be decided as the party gets closer to specific encounters.

Plot type

Campaign Module