Session Preface:
The walls of Velqwen slowly grow higher along the horizon against the soft glow of daybreak. Cascading clouds ripple across the sky in ribbons of red and streaks of orange and pink as a new day, the twentieth of Hammer by your weary count, starts afresh. Amidst the crowd of cheerily marching dragonborn, the stale sweat of battle and the relief of victory linger like a potent and familiar fragrance floating over the army.
Some steps behind you, Rocreth lets out a raucous laugh followed immediately by the unexpectedly higher toned giggle of Vudrogg. "And then the big hulking idiot ran straight into my axe!" Another bout of laughter erupts from the group listening to your new companions describing the skirmish which occurred in the central camp. "Aye, their leaders were hardly worth the notches in me weapons" Rocreth continues, "but we sent them to their one-eyed lord all the same. I imagine if it weren't for us, their fiery commander would have melted our new clanmate into a heaping pile of scrap metal."
"Yes, it is well you were there," Stragri interrupts, her rare interjection understated by her uncharacteristically bolstering voice, "so you could see how real warriors of Bahamut carry themselves in the face of danger. Parathrax did not waver despite nearly losing consciousness. Remind me, which one of you had to have the other force a potion down your throat just to catch the final moments of battle?" The enthralled soldiers marching alongside the trio erupt in a jaunting laughter and a series of oohs and aahs as Stragri smirks to herself, draws her cloak around her more snugly, and turns to watch the sunrise over the distant mountains.
The infantry marching behind you then breaks out into a tavern song, one with a familiar melody but whose are words unfamiliar to you. As your own respective versions of the song from Avraathe and Silverymoon hum along in the back of your mind, your conscious thoughts drift back to the crudely drawn map discovered in the the tactician's camp. To what purpose are these orcs charging forth into the Moonpass Valley? At whose command? And how are these events connected to the other developments across the region?
But fortunately, where any uncertainty may lie in those questions, you anticipate the bound, gagged, and broken-handed orc commander Rocreth drags behind him will provide some much needed clarity when the time comes. Until then, the day begins as so many have in the recent weeks - with a sense of purpose rising up like a wave as well as an undercurrent of uncertainty as to what the day shall bring forth and what the days to come might require of you.
Returning to Velqwen
It is early morning as you finally approach the under-repair walls of Velqwen. In some ways, the wake of damage left by the orc assault seems to fit the aesthetic of the nomadic city even more fittingly than when the wall stood complete. A bell tolls once, twice and the gate swings on loud, creaking hinges and an outpouring of relieved faces part to create a walkway for you and your victoriously returning allies. Along either side, the eager and excited faces of blue dragonborn watch you closely and as you pass turn to gaze upon the infantry and archers behind you, scanning for familiar faces.
Standing ahead of you at the end of the makeshift walkway, atop the stairs of the courtyard you fought in only hours ago, the Speaker nods to each of you in turn, an unmissable smile wide across his face.
"Clanmates, our forces have returned from their rout of the orcs who dared invade our home! We shall break our fast over supple meats, wild berries, and the wines of the storehouse! Join us as we celebrate in their victory to Bahamut's righteousness!"
As the speaker pauses, his gaze looks over each of you in turn before resting on Parathrax with a unmissable giddiness in his grin.
"But first, let us hear from our new commander, he who as his chosen name foretold wields both Ulreth and Ildreth - Parathrax, son of Voronelle, the hero of Clan Zirthund. Come, Parathrax, recount to us the events of the eve."
Session Summary:
Pushed into the gathered crowd's focus, Parathrax gives a confident, but somber recollection of the evenings events and next necessary steps. As the survivors began both celebration and mourning, the party finds the much needed rest to recover from the brink of exhaustion after traveling and fighting through the evening.
The first to wake from his meditative slumber, Endriel spends much of the early afternoon pouring over his sketching of the orcish map and comparing it to the one in the possession of the Speaker. Later in the day, Vorothruun stirs and finds himself an abandoned ruin in which he can use the strength and magic Ragnalla bestows to him to enlighten and overwhelm the orcish captive. Though he is ultimately unsuccessful in bringing the follow of Gruumsh under Ragnalla's sway, he does glen important information that the orcs have unified under a leader named King Waruk and plan to take control of the region and set up the Kingdom of White Tusk, much as the Kingdom of Many Arrows did decades ago in the Spine of the World.
Following his interrogation, Vorothruun finds Parathrax and Endriel discussing the map and possible plans of the orcs. The three shares their mutual suspicions of a looming attack on Avraathe with one another before meeting with the Speaker and determining the evacuation of Velqwen and resettling temporarily in Avraathe necessary for the protection of the non-fighting members of the community. With the Speaker in agreement, Clan Zirthund quickly begins making preparations to leave while the party leaves immediately for Avraathe to begin the conversations regarding their arrival.
Upon returning to Avraathe for the first time in eleven days, the three are greeted by surprisingly welcoming Platinum Scalers posted at the southern gate. Stopping first at the Library of Libations, the party is met by a disgruntled Beldan who chastises the party for not returning a day sooner so he could collect the winnings of a bet he made regarding their survival. Despite his momentary frustrations, Beldan prepares Parathrax's "shitty day regular" and pours Endriel a glass of the lavender and elderberry wine he fancied in his previous visit. Per Vorothruun's last visit, Beldan shares the most recent elven bottle of Prophecy wine, removing the autumn tree under a moonlit night designed tarot card off the bottle before Vorothruun slips it away for later consumption.
As each individual nurses their drinks, Parathrax gives the long and short of their recent adventures including discovering the ancient clan, their home of Velqwen, Parathrax's supposed destiny and new blade, as well as the impending orc attack. Thrilled at the idea of getting to defend Avraathe firsthand, Beldan closes the tavern and summons his massive war hammer before realizing the timing was not quite as imminent as first described. Nevertheless, Beldan offers to begin making preparations as best he can while the others deal with the matters at large.
The dragonborns then head toward Parathraaj's home to confront him about keeping them in the dark about Velqwen while Endriel embarks for his homestead to read the reports of his Harps during his absence. When Endriel arrives, he discovers a large stack of unread reports but most surprisingly, a panicked and manic Jerym hiding in the shadows of his kitchen armed with only his lute. Jerym explains that he was questioned and discovered by High Councilor Porath following one of the evening services, but he never spoke about the Harpers or gave any indication of his role as anything other than an interested community member. Nevertheless, his ulterior motives were discovered and Jerym dismissed from the city. Fearing he had ruined everything, Jerym is pleased to hear from Endriel that the others remain in position and safe and there is work still to be done by Jerym. Updating him on the state of affairs, Endriel prepares Jerym to serve as a messenger to Silverymoon so as to update the Harpers, but perhaps bring reinforcements as well.
While Endriel tends to Jerym, the dragonborn brothers return to their father's home, revealing their recent visit to Velqwen. Taken aback and out of sorts - incredibly atypical for their father - Parathraaj manages to get out an apology, but fumbles while trying to explain or further rationalization. Instead, he stumbles upstairs and returns with a well crafted, but unadorned wooden box with a velvet interior lining and offers it to his sons.
After the emotional exchange of Parathrax's understanding but simultaneous disappointment, the topic shifts to the pending invasion. The dragonborn agree it necessary to next visit the Council of High Priests to bring these matters to their attention and allow them to notify the city in an official capacity.
Upon Endriel's return, Parathraaj spends a moment conferring with them about the map sketching, making note of a dwarven stronghold ruin to the south which seems to now serve as a defensible position for the orcs. He also believes there not to be any structural defenses on the western edge of Avraathe, but instead suggests those are both raiding parties which have been plaguing the caravans in and out of the city for the last months.
With the information in hand, the party is able to easily find Porath, Dradke, and Bronzeroar following the conclusion of the evening services. The party quickly shares the importance of their recent discoveries and demands the council gather in full to make preparations, to which Porath obliges and goes to gather the others. Justiciar Bronzeroar walks with Parathrax up to the council meeting room along the way discussing his pleasure of how the Talons have taken some of the Scalers under their wings and helped bring them up to a more serviceable role in the city, going so far as to offer Parathrax a promotion if he would be willing, which is quickly dismissed. The two share a few laughs and Bronzeroar agrees to support Parathrax in the meeting should his fellow councilmen push back against whatever it is they are about to reveal.
Over the next few moments, the council gathers - the disdainful Dradke, the surprised Celu, the overwhelmed Zagtra, the thoughtful Ozen, the amused Bronzeroat and of course the always professional Porath serving as the liaison and leader of the conversation. It is noted that Councilor Helna Summerdrake is tending to someone in the infirmary and cannot be disturbed at this time and the meeting proceeds on without her. Parathrax leads the conversation, first revealing their knowledge of Velqwen and Clan Zirthund. While the council is surprised and appreciates the party's forthrightness regarding the matter, they are a bit dismissive of being summoned over such a statement. It is only when Parathrax explains the context of the Clan's forthcoming arrival and the orcs soon to follow that the council truly realizes the gravity of the situation. While Dradke and Porath question some of Parathrax's claims and asks to verify the sources of their information to check their validity, the party is pleasantly surprised in the council's general acceptance of the situation facing Avraathe and dismisses their guests so as to begin making official arrangements.
After an exhausting day of travel and numerous tense conversations regarding recent events, the party goes their separate ways to find rest in their respective quarters with Endriel traveling back out to his homestead, Vorothruun taking up the extra room at Beldan's tavern, and Parathrax returning to his childhood bed chamber once more. As they each bring their evening to a close, Endriel gives Jerym the clothes and rations purchased for him while in Avraathe and helps him prepare for his journey to Silverymoon. Parathrax spends the evening in meditation and focus, summoning forth the spiritual guardians who have served him in battle. He tries to connect with them in order to speak with them, but feels a sort of barrier between them that his mind and spirit pushes against. Vorothruun reads over the box of letters his father provided while sipping on the prophecy wine before slipping into an evening's rest of vivid dreams.
Comments