KWN.4.1 Into the High Forest

Session Preface

Along the well-trodden central walkway through town, the citizens of Olostin's Hold go to work. As the clamor of battle fades into the autumn evening, farmers and their families have already poured out from their homes and begin assessing the damage. A group of farmers fan out, stabbing each gnoll body with pitchforks, confirming the kill. Others heave the gnoll bodies in pairs, carrying them out beyond the gate, tossing the carcasses into a pile. Another group set to work with logging axes and butcher's knives, carving the troll's lifeless form into managable bits, as if it were a fallen tree blocking the way. Meanwhile, several residents open their doors while others support and carry the wounded into the nearest home. Around those who have fallen, a young priest comforts family and friends with solemn solace.
As you watch the activity unfold, the half-elf spellcaster you witnessed in the fray approaches, her long dark hair pulled back and light green gown smeared with blood along the torn sleeves.
"Vosh'ri, you are always a welcome surprise, though perhaps never more than this evening, particularly when you bring with you adventurers in the midst of a raid. Welcome, travelers, to Olostin's Hold, and thank you for ensuring this attack claimed as few lives as it did. How can we be of service?"

Session Summary

Following the battle, Tristain and Aethuriel provide aid to the citizens, healing the wounded and offering aid to those cleaning up the mess. Aethuriel arranges for new recruits from Everlund to be sent to the city so as to reinforce Olostin's Hold from the frequent raids. Tristain learns from Mardan, the city's leader, that the attacks take place typically once a month, but are inconsistent and seem to be based on nothing more than the gnoll's insatiable bloodlust. Pax takes the opportunity to better study the gnolls, taking note of a pair of runes branded and carved into the flesh - one of the demon lord Yeenoghu and another which seemed to be a derivation of the first. He searches for the tracks leading into town, confirming they came from the High Forest, rather than the Evermoors to the northwest.
Once things have settled, the party is offered from room at the Headless Troll and food and drink at the Flaming Flagon by the owner, Uhrieved Hartshorn. While they eat, they are joined by the gnomish druid, Felevel. A wry and ireverent character, Felevel enjoys the party's company and explains his limited understanding of the tensions in the High Forest, namely that Stone Giants have recently entered the picture wanting something to do with the Grandfather Tree and this has disturbed the balance maintained by the other denizens of the forest. He also presents a scroll of Charm Monster as a means of gratitude for helping the city before bidding them farewell and walking out with his flagon in hand.
After a much needed rest, the party depart Olostin's Hold in the afternoon, entering into the woods and marching until nightfall. Among the ancient trees, Aethuriel immediately feels a connection to the High Forest and his elvish heritage. As they make camp, Aethuriel reverently drinks of the small, flowing brook and presses his palm to the old trees, feeling drawn to the presence of the forest itself. Meanwhile, Tristain reflects on the recent journey and their upcoming task while skipping rocks, choosing to keep one with him. Vosh'ri explains to the party the ways of the wood - doing no undue harm and taking what the forest offers with gratitude - before departing to gather fire wood and dinner. When he returns with a hare that seems to have died of natural causes, he prepares the meal for the party while they ask questions about their task.
Continuing where Felevel left off, Vosh'ri explains that the core problem lies in the different beliefs and interpretation's of the Grandfather Tree's nature and meaning. As his father tells it, the Grandfather Tree is the source of life for every other tree in the forest, it's roots spreading and providing nourishment for the other trees and growth. He also describes how a bard with golden curls and vibrant purple eyes who once traveled the forest explained that the tree was planted by Ao the Overlord, but was also of Ao himself, and would grow from Ao again, though he didn't know what to make of that. Meanwhile, the elves believe multiple stories - some believe it was planted by their primary deity, Corellon Larethian, while others believe it was planted by the Aryvandaar kingdom during the First Flowering to protect a location only remembered as the Hall of Mists. Even still, the Uthgardt tribes believe the Grandfather Tree grew to its tremendous height when Uthgard himself bled beneath the tree following a great battle and his divine presence empowered the tree. Finally, the Stone Giants seek the tree because a relic of ancient giant power is partially buried beneath the tree, tangled in its roots. And herein lies the problem, Vosh'ri explains, as the giants want to take the relic with them, which has in turn made the Uthgardt barbarians increasingly defensive and territorial, while the elves wish to see the status quo returned with neither party laying claim to the relic nor the Grandfather Tree itself. As such, the party is tasked with finding a way to resolve the tensions among the tree factions before unnecessary bloodshed takes place.
With this new information, the party discusses their options, as well as their feeling out of place in the matter, before retiring to bed. Aethuriel is the first to stir from his meditative state and finds their camp disturbed. The ashes of the fire have been scattered in a strange, perfectly spiral pattern, and random items have been strewn about camp. Unable to find the potential thieves or source of the trouble, Aethuriel wakes Pax. Pax then notices the same spiral pattern on the water, but cannot see the source. As he starts to clean up his belonging, he notices his sketchbook being dragged into the brook. He grabs it just in time as Aethuriel casts Faerie Fire, outlining the invisible pixie in a iradescent glow. The mischevious fae swirls around their heads before flying off into the early morning, leaving the party to complete their rest as Aethuriel keeps watch.
The next day, the party continue their trek south toward the Grandfather Tree. When they eventually break eastward away from the gnoll trail Pax had been keeping track of, Aethuriel notes the spot on their map and Vosh'ri notes that the tracks likely lead to somewhere around the Lost Peaks, a small mountain range in the northern High Forest. Shortly thereafter, Pax notices a cat-sized creature following them overhead. Once it is discovered, the red faerie dragon leaps down from the trees, landing on Pax's shoulder, and proceeds to try and sniff and climb over him. Pax instinctively throws the creature off, but it spins around and uses a mage hand cantrip to trip him and pull down his pants in the process, forcing Pax to hit his head against Vosh'ri in front of him. Meanwhile, Tristain tosses the faerie dragon a bit of food and it merrily eats with all four paws wrapped around the food while hovering in the air. When Pax draws his bow, Aethuriel stands between the creature and Pax, while the dragon sticks its tongue out at the tiefling. When Aethuriel tries to speak in elvish to it, the faerie dragon tries to charm Aethuriel, but the knight's training wards off the effect. The dragon then lands on Vosh'ri's shoulder and travels with him a ways, the two speaking in sylvan to one another.
Finally, the party reach the edge of the clearing that opens to the Grandfather Tree. Vosh'ri provides more details about the leaders of each faction and the party decide to go and speak with the elves first, hoping that Aethuriel's heritage and Vosh'ri's familiarity with their leaders will help them in their first diplomatic meeting. With their centaur companion, the party are allowed to proceed into the elvish camp, full of luxirous tents made of beautiful, multi-colored interwoven natural materials.
The party is first greeted by Yrind Morninglight, speaker for the Caerlicarn, and lieutenant of The Red Lady, Morgwais. Aethuriel is the first to make their case, first trying to speak in Elvish with Yrind. When she responds in common that he "smells and speaks like an outsider," Aethuriel willing admits his unfamiliarity with their customs or way of life, but that the Knights seek to help nonetheless, but Yrind remains unconvinced. Tristain joins the conversation, explaining the Knight's losses in Sundabar, with which Yrind sympathizes, having spent centuries living among the ruins of her people. Tristain presses, trying to convince Yrind that the party is here to prevent similar unnecessary war or loss. Unmoved, Yrind goes to reply, but is cut off.
Behind her, The Red Lady steps forth from her tent and speaks into the minds of the party. She explains that the Knights have been considered and found to be true in their intent and desire to resolve the matters at hand. The Red Lady the explains that if the party can convince the Tree Ghost tribe to tentatively stand down, they should return to the elves camp and if they are able to aid them with a separate task, then the elves would be more inclind to compromise on matters related to the Grandfather Tree. With this potential way forward in mind, the party takes their leave of the camp and turns their attention to swaying the other factions.

Session Overview

Date Played:
May 24, 2022
Party:

• Aethuriel
• Pax
• Tristain

Time Passed:
Eleint 7, 1493 (AM) - Eleint 8, 1493 (PM)
NPCs:

• Aedelvana
• Felevel the Green
• Keled Strongarm
• Mardan Elthondsson
• Uhrieved Hartshorn
• Yrind Morninglight
• Morgwais, The Red Lady

Loot:

• Scroll of Charm Monster
• Trinket: High Forest River Stone