Rolen Liadon
Rolen Liadon (a.k.a. Rael)
I lived within the boundaries of the Mist Wood Forest since my birth under the giant oak tree, my family say I am unlike the majority of my kin because of this fact. While still slender and graceful, I am of stockier breed by Elven standards.
Most of my life was spent playing and training with the other children of my age, learning the way of my people, the Ithilalfar, including our druidic ways. In fact, I had just completed my initial training and manage to change my form for the first time when the King of Aurunem returned and soon declared war for his throne. Soon, many of Aurunem allies sent men and wizards, including from the kingdom of Arlington. Soldiers came to our forest and asked for volunteers to join the cause. I had no intention of joining the war of kingdoms that would ravage the green countryside, adding my part to the destruction of the natural world we live in. However my brother, Soveliss, could not turn away, and begged father to join their cause, citing that a war would spread to our boundaries before long. I would not let go alone.
We had moved up through Northern Aetrus in order to meet up with the frontlines of the battle, but our march was ambushed by Bandits hired by Lurgas and in the frey,....Soveliss fell. We defeated the bandits but my will to continue was shattered so I stayed near the battle field for days until I found the courage to bury my brother and found a cave to close myself off to the world.
There in the darkness of that cavern, after a many days of grief, I heard a voice whisper to me, and try to comfort me. It did not succeed initially, but kept at it and eventually, that soft voice broke through and help to alleviate the heavy pangs of guilt for not defending my brother properly and the blame I placed upon myself for his death. The voice reminded me that all those that pass on to the next realm, return to nature first. To the ground we are born from. The voice helped me realize that all creatures come from and return to nature, that is the cycle of all life. That voice, so light hearted and comforting, convinced me to leave my cave and on that day I came across another group of bandits awaiting anything with life to walk into their trap. They had slain several deer in the area, leaving their bodies to rot once they have cut away what they wanted from the carcass. Something about this image did not sit well with me, it felt like an affront to nature itself, so with the aid of the voice, and the boons granted to me from it, I felled those men. I left their bodies to rot for the rest of the creature to have a bountiful meal, knowing their corpses would be used fully.
After that day, the voice revealed itself to be the Goddess, Amberlune. I bid her guide me, use me as her hand to defend nature and the natural order of the world. I silently became a cleric of her order right than and there and, having taken what implements I could from the bodies of the men yesterday, headed north towards the town which we were to meet and secure a trade route for Arlington and Kelm. I will champion my goddess and build a temple or grove in her honor. I will defend the creatures of her creation and be her sword or shield against those that would harm her realm.
I was born under the Red Oak, to a family of Ithilalfar on the edges of the Mist wood forest. When the war began, many of my kin wish to join the fight, as did I, but before I left, I heard her call..my lady, Amberlune!!!
View Character Profile
Alignment
Chaotic Good
Age
135
Date of Birth
18th of Dium
Children
Gender
Male
Eyes
Green
Hair
Dark Auburn
Skin Tone/Pigmentation
Sun kissed
Height
5'8"
Ruled Locations
Remove these ads. Join the Worldbuilders Guild
The Twisted Treeline
24 of Malinvar, 1420
It has been many tendays since I have left Glennhaven, working on the Druid Grove for my lady takes up much of my time, but my devotion to her keeps me motivated. Still, I find myself restless and in need of newer scenery. Many adventurers have returned recently, some from the Black Marsh, telling tales of areas where my Lady's creatures avoid, indicating extreme evil nearby. I will not allow such evil to taint my Lady's grove, not before it has been completed. Ulgar Anvilbreaker, Audrey, a new comer to town, and a half-orc named Liink wish to aid me, My Lady will look after them for this generous deed, as will I.
We take our leave on foot, Stormrunner will stay in glen with my other friends looking after the blade. After asking for our traditional blessing from Amberlune's avatar, again my Lady grants me a strange boon, but nevertheless I am grateful. We depart shortly after, a quick two days from the hamlet and a river to cross, we hunt for game to feed ourselves and Amberlune is bountiful. On one of these nights, we encountered the most adorable creation of my Lady. one dubbed Twiddletoads. I desperately wish to befriend on and entice it to live in the grove. Audrey, unfortunately, felt the full affect of their special secretion, one must be very careful or you will succumb to the euphoria. Crafty little things, and quite cute.
We arrived at the marshes and right away, the difference brought by the month of Malinvar is apparent, the marshes, blacker than ever. We begin venturing inward, towards where the others had been before, the trees here seem to form walls and corridors, restricting our path. We come across several hollowed out trees, with claw marks within them, as if something burst outward perhaps from within it. Then suddenly, a voice, one that speaks only to me, it welcomed me here, to my "birthplace" and before it went silent it said, "those who are of not of our kind will not understand our pain."
We delve deeper into these impossibly thick woods and find foot prints that lead to the south, we follow them to discover several mounds of freshly disturbed earth hiding trin kets and baubles. Deeper still, and the trees give way to a cavern-like area where the darkness is broken by brightly illuminating fungi pulsing with each touch and step, giving off spores of some kind, and larger fungi that seem to allow for some bounce. Liink is brave enough to launch himself first, then Audrey followed by Ulgar. I send each of them with Amberlune's blessing before using my druidic abilities to change my being to that of a spider, making traversing this area much simpler.
Beyond is more of a bio-luminescent grass that seem to lead to a room with a humanoid crying out in agony. Again, the voice assails my mind and says,"closer my dear, closer to the birth place. Join us once again..the forest is hungry." I believe this to be the voice of Malivus Ivius, and the tortured creature before us, a poor Anoralfar or Ithilalfar being converted, just as the legends say. No, this will not stand, but mercy first.
My mercy however brought forth a terrible creature made of tree and flesh, bark and organ, rising from the ground, using the corpse of my mercy. Savagery, filthy magics perverting the very nature of my Lady and the realm she created. This monster proved resistant to most of our attacks, but we persevered and felled the thing and it's spawn-lings. I sustained many blows and my compatriots felt it best to reserve our strength, now that we have come this far. So we returned to the safety of Glennhaven, to lick our wounds and prepare ourselves further. I vowed to Amberlune to vanquish the evil in that marsh, and I will, will my Lady's blessing and protection. Perhaps finishing the grove will strengthen her hold here and bring a much need life lacking in these parts.
A Friend in the Woods
10th of Reitum
Amberlune has seen fit to bless me heavily. I will always appreciate her gifts but truly, the greatest pleasure are the ones shown to me be nature and new cultures. I was in town, selling my furs, when I heard rumors of a "strange" man dressed in a white wolf's pelt and skull....My heart jumped a bit, this could only be White River Wolf, my new friend from the Red Plains.
A few interested parties wished to meet White River Wolf, Draco Altar, Liink, and of course, Sheriff Haldon. I try to ensure them, the appear of this man is a blessing. Never the less, we decide to go and greet White River Wolf. It is an absolute pleasure to see him again, and already showing me something new. We interrupted his work on the carcass of a deer and using it bones to fashion a weapon. Apparently his tribe are able to forge armor and weapons from a creature's bones, using the entirety of the creature!!!! What wonders may Lady creates through her servants. He demonstrates the strength of the bone forging by throwing a bone handaxe and wedging it into a near by tree. Astounding!!
White River Wolf tells us that since Thunderhorse has taken over as Chieftain, and doing well, thank the goddess for their tribes success, that wanderlust has struck him, and after meeting Caoihme and myself, choose to investigate Glennhaven. In honor of his leaving his home and in time for the great harvest, he wishes to give us who greeted him a gift. He will honor us with hone forging, we must simply secure enough bone to create the items we desire.
For too long, I have garnished strange looks and snickers and sneers from my fellow druids regarding my choice to wear the armor of the fallen men who killed my brother. The believe the metals are unnatural, despite my argument that these metals come from the ground, Amberlune's bussom itself. So I make a hefty request from my friend, I ask for a set a plate armor made from bone, made in his ritualistic manner. I would wear with honor. He claims he can accomplish this, should we retrieve a creature large enough. So the hunt began....
It took quite some time before locating what we believed to be bear tracks, but they are incredibly large for any bear I have ever encounter. We track it to a cave and find more of it's handy work. Dead creatures, dead humanoids, this mighty bear has been hurt and attacked so much, it has known nothing but killing and surviving. Poor creature, Amberlune has brought you to me to grant you mercy, so that you may return to your mother. I allow my comrades to take position, in case this creatures will is strong.
Amberlune often requires a labor to show your devotion to her, and this creature shall be a labor of mercy. It's will was much stronger and it chose to leave this plane in the manner that it had grown accustom to, battle. I thank my Lady for the accompaniment of my comrades, as wel felled the mighty bear. Our next labor was transporting it's body to the skilled former Chieftain. Hours roll by, we converse and reminisce and allow his skilled hands to do the work, parts of this forging he keeps secret from us as is his right, but in the end, he presented me with the plate mail I had asked for, Amberlune has indeed blessed me, and I will forever stay devore to my Lady, for she is kind!
Exploring the Red Plains
25th of Aurun, 1420
It has been many moons since I have left my post ....the blade is undisturbed. I still feel uneasy every moment I am with it's aura, the connection with my Lady severs and I truly feel alone.
The Half-orc, Krug decided he wanted a horse, so chose to explore the nearby Red Plains, hearing they are famed for having a large herd of them. I like Krug, he is simple and forward. Much like nature or the creatures that inhabit Amberlune's creation. It came to the chosen day of our travel, Krug did not show. Krug also sleep quite a lot, his loss, I have gardens that need tending and woods that need clearing for the Grove. Still, I managed to find traveling companions, Breg No-Family, Cayden Amberose and another Half-orc named Crowvid.
As always, before leaving Glenhaven, I stopped to pray at my Lady's Avatar. I tossed her the coin she desired and she saw fit to bless me with the Truest of sight. Because of this, Cayden true form was shown to me, he's but a boy, quick witted and quick on his feet, skilled. What frailty there is to humanity.
We set out and with in 3 days were greeted with the sight of Amberlune's glorious creations. Fields of red, all different shades, trees, vegetation, truly a wonderous sight. Praise be to Amberlune for this is truly a privilege. We began searching for tracks with little success in finding horses, however Cayden did find a group of warriors hiding and tracking our group. No, not warriors, not even men, young men, children with spears. We allow them to approach and we show our palms to show we are no threat. We inform them of our purpose here in their lands, they ask us to meet with their chieftain. We will oblige, no need to have conflict over tracking.
They lead us to there village, the people here lead simple lives on the plains, I am very much enjoying my time here, but I notice this village is filled with elders and children only. This is not a good sign. We have meet the chieftain, White River Wolf, an older man, finally. We explain our purpose, he informs us that his tribe and village was recent sacked by a herd of Gnolls. He became to chieftain do to being the only man left. The former Chieftain daughter is set to inherit the title, but must go on her naming quest. I am unfamiliar with this tradition but we are asked to accompany her on her quest and we will be allowed to hunt for horses on the plains. We agree, we plan to leave by morning.
The night proves festive, but the Chieftain Daughter is temperamental. She is angry at the loss of her father and fellow tribesmen, I feel vengeance emanating from her, I ask Amberlune for words of wisdom and pass them on, My Lady speaks wisely through me. The night passes uneventfully, we leave by dawn, and attempt to pick up tracks. A few days go by before we end up finding the tracks we are looking for. We get very close but these plains make it difficult to chase them down. Finally we find 4 horses being attacked but a "tiger". The chieftains daughter explains this is called a Displacer beast normally, it's flesh seems to make it appear in shift from side to side.
I speak to the horses and get them to run while we take down the Tiger. What an incredible beast, it's hide will make an excellent cloak, the chieftains daughter will create it stitch it for us, how kind. After speaking to the horses, we learn that the gnolls attacked their herd, slayed many if not most of the herd. Their bloodshed was so foul, it called out to Amberlune, and My lady sent her thunderous vengeance, in the form of a "Thunderhorse" as these horse calling himself Stormrunner explained. The say the only way to quell the raging spirit was to put it down, if we do, these four horses will join us. I am happy that my Lady destroyed those nasty dog faced monsters, but her rage will only hurt the creatures in the surrounding areas, so i will be her calm to that rage.
What a spectacle, Gnolls bodies strewn and blown to pieces everywhere by a magnificent thundering horse creature. Truly My Lady is all powerful. The beast turned it's rage towards us, having no more gnolls to rend asunder . We did battle and qulled the raging horse-demi-god. It was strange, part of me felt the presence of her glory and was disappointed for having to end such beauty, and part of me felt as though this creature, this place, these Red plains, I have felt more at home here than in Glenhaven or my former forest. Thanks be to Amberlune that Stormrunner has agreed to return with me to Glennhaven so I will always have a new friend and a wonderful reminder of the lands I fell in love with just to the north. I will have to visit Chief Thunderhorse soon.
Looking for a Green Dragon Lair
17th of Solaris, 1420
While taking time to guard the sword takes up much of it, I have begun carving out a section at the end town for the Druid Grove that Caoimhe and myself plan on building for Amberlune. I wish to honor my Lady and if possible build a vault for the sword. One day, attempting to socialize with the other inhabitants of Glennhaven, rumors of a Green Dragon seen flying away from it's nest were being whispered here and there. This is disturbing, a Dragon of that size and potential age would not lightly leave it's nesting ground....unless a deadlier predator has moved into it's nesting area. My curiosity was too great, what sort of creature would make a dragon flee? I was not the only one interested. Oculo was interested in the potential horde left behind by the great drake, as were our two new friends, a half-orc named Krug, new to this town and would prove to be a mighty warrior. And an old, half blind, half deaf human named Tyrson, an incredibly frugal man that carried no weapon but told us he had seen much bloodshed.
Decided to secure a potion or two, found a merchant, but Tyrson showed that man to be a liar and crook, still I purchased one potion. I wish these men would be more honest, thank goodness for the aged wisdom of my new friend. Being new to Glennhaven, Krug and Tyrson had never had the pleasure of meeting the Avatar of Amberlune, the magical creature of the pond behind Glennhaven. Just as before, my Lady showed them her power by granting them boons for the strange green gold currency. We set out shortly after. It felt good to once again be on the hunt, travelling and securing sustenance for the journey. It felt good to once again be motivated by curiosity, perhaps I shall meet a new creature created by my Lady. Anything then standing guard over the blade again.
We made camp outside of the woods known as the Infernal Forrest. We bed down for the night, while the others slept, I stood watch and attempted to have a local badger serve as look outs for larger, nastier creatures. The well-to-do badger left and found his way back to the camp with a Gnome friend, or he seemed friendly enough. Introduced himself as Billen Fapplestamp, he asked me for my name but said he didn't like it. Tyrson was awake and cautioned me of this trick the Gnome was playing. Asking to GIVE him my name and if he like it, he would adopt it as his own. I did not know of this transaction but do not agree with it's practice. Tyrson gave Billen a different name than his own, Oculo's. Billen truly liked the name and adopted it, but after the ruse was given away, he was obliged to return the name to Oculo. Apparently there are rules to this name stealing, again the older human shows how wise he truly is.
As the night continued, two small lizards like halfling sized humanoids tried sneaking into our camp during Krug's watch. He woke me from trance and we dealt with the scouts indiscriminately, one burned our by Amberlune's radiant light and Krug's heavy hammer. A strange creature was watching all this from the trees, I did not see it clearly, however it looked interesting, leathery bat-like wings and a tail, wish I had gotten a better look,. It is clear the kobolds came from the Infernal Forrest, their tracks will lead us to their home. Amberlune was kind to us along our route, Treasures and weapons were littered all along the Forrest leading south ward. A very sharp longsword found it's way to my hands, I can make use of it and it's extra sharpness. We continued towards the center of the Forrest, only to find two heavily armored Kobolds speaking to a filthy Imp.
We gave them no time to react, I struck our against the Imp first, Amberlune's light poured from my hand and badly injured the foul creature. Shots rang out, the battle ensued, the Imp turned into the spider and tried to flee. Oculo, being an excellent fisherman, used his fishing rod to reel the creature back towards us. How any man can reel a spider....I truly do not know, but Oculo is no ordinary human. Krug finished he creature with his mighty hammer, splattering it back to it's realm of origin. We subdued the two kobolds and press them for information. We used the path indicated by trapped lizards. It lead us to a massive cave behind a waterfall, A fitting lair for an ancient dragon. Less so for what we truly found within.
A Kobold mage, known as Klobuu, was "Snackrificing" other kobolds and feeding their souls to a petrified devil. It seems our slaughtering of the previous lizards "filled" the devil, it shook off it's stone exterior and came forth with a roar. We leapt in action to save our own lives. I gave chase to the mage, but the lizard used magic to make itself the faster. Krug leapt at the chance for glory, right into the devil, hammer wailing strongly on the boney body of the creature. Oculo's shots rang out again and again, in between his spells. Tyrson.....did a great job using the shield to keep the creature distracted. Eventually, Krug & Oculo felled the devil, while I kept the mage at bay until it too was felled.
As it turned out, the dragon left a good portion of it's horde, useless coin and trinkets. Nothing truly interesting about the dragon's lair, just a place to stash it's wealth. I wish I could have met it. We returned to Glennhaven and reported our findings regarding the devil to the Knights of the Elk. We also split the treasure found in the lair, apparently that is customary when large amounts of wealth are found. I suppose these funds can also be used for the purchase of a well made altar to Amberlune. I should search for a sculptor before I return to my duties guarding over the sword.
My Journey to Meet and Befriend Giant Ants Part 2
15-18th of Dium, 1420
Our journey to the hill of the giants ants was cut short during our last visit. Taking on the Antkeg and Slicer beetles depleted our abilities to delve further as welcomed guests, so we resolved to return to Glennhaven for respite.
When we arrived, we met with the man who sent us searching for his cousin, Diggory Gondfry. We returned his cousin's acid melted armor and told him of his demise. While he seem slightly distraught, he still saw fit to pay us for this news. While in town, we discovered the wizard Khellvan mentioned in the journal of the mercenaries we found, also melted. I, like Caoimhe, wish to know what his intentions were regarding the ant eggs he sent the mercenaries to pilfer. I gathered this mage's intentions to be academic rather than nefarious, and he gave us the very same quest he sent the mercenaries on. We explained, only if the ants allow us to leave with eggs. He also asked for notes of ant behaviors, I will go a step further and retrieve the scents of each of the different ants, studying these ants is quite exhilarating.
We returned to the Hill. To my absolute joy, the ants remembered us. We reentered the hill and traversed deeper and deeper still, along the way, the ants called us friends or warrior, what incredible creatures. The room we entered next was the sight of yet another battle of the Giants ants against the Slicer beetles, at the end of the room, a warrior ant hinted at following him into another chamber.
The Queen has sought us for an audience. THIS CREATURE IS MAGNIFICENT, her control over her kin is incredible, she is beautifully regal. She spoke of another "invader" within the hill and it has killed many ant. She asked that we deal with this creature, as we are skilled warriors and she no longer wishes to risk her warriors. She also threaten to eat us if we did not assist her, what an incredible offer!!!! Ambrelune would oblige me to assist, but I do so with joy in my heart.
The dwarves and I are lead to what appears to be a Stone-worked hall, it seems the ants created their hill atop some sort of man-made structure. We are lead to a room where we found our invader....a large Bulette. Ambrelune will not have this monster creating havoc for her ants. We dispatched the beastie, despite it being quite strong, but thanks to the Mighty Schmitty once again, we survived. It's hide was tough but will make for good leather, it's flesh will go to the ants for food.
We returned to the Queen and were rewarded for our deeds with royal eggs and than promptly sprayed by every ant in attendance. I believe this now makes us some form of family. I am overjoyed. We asked the Queen if she knew of the Vault beneath her hill, she did not, we asked if we could inspect said vault, she did not care as long as it posed no threat to her colony.
We found the vault door, it's molding covered in runes of a strange language. I took rubbing of them. In the center of the room, in the floor, a gem of some kind. Not a gem but sarcophagus, filled with insects. And a large golden scepter with a key on the end, perhaps to the vault door. Ferrak was the first to discern the keys true nature, opening the vault and avoiding it's trap Within was a 50 foot corridor and nothing more, or so we thought. Behind a small rock was another key hole to which we quickly discovered was also opened by the scepter. Another Trap!!! The corridor began to rise, we all made it out and found underneath it another corridor holding the vault's only treasure.
A sword made of ancient metal, this metal inherently enchanted with Anti-magic properties. I could not hear the call of my lady, nor feel her energy within my body, this cannot be natural. My compatriots seem to think this should be wielded by someone or at the very least sold, I believe should man wield this power. Caoimhe and myself have resolved to build a Grove to our lady, perhaps we could bury this sword there. I am uncertain if Ambrelune would approve of this, in the meantime, we will take shifts guarding the blade just outside of Glennhaven, as we do not believe it should be brought into town. I am uncertain if retrieving this blade was the right decision.
My Journey to Meet and Befriend Giant Ants Part 1
8th -11th of Dium, 1420
When I first saw the posting on the job board, I must admit.... I was very giddy with excitement. GIANT ANTS, I have never had the pleasure of meeting these of Ambrelune's Creations. I have seen normal size ants of course, and as impressive as they are.....Giants Ants must be that much more impressive. Now the poster of this parchment is one Diggory Gondfry and he is searching for his cousin, a Jardok Gondfry, who has apparently be taken by these ants and dragged within their colony. Surely this is man dead, but for information on where to find these magnificent creatures, I will happily confirm his demise.
I did not understand why the group of dwarves decided to join me on this mission, apart from Caoimhe Lutgehr. She also serves my lady, and has expressed interest in creating a Druidic Grove in Her name. This is good. Together with the Mighty Smitty and Ferrak Stonewall, we headed to pay homage to my lady to bless our journey at the Mystic pools near the camp. Again, Ambrelune granted me a strange boon......perhaps this is to help fund Her Grove.
We travelled for 3 days westward from camp. Nothing to exciting, but I now know how much game it takes to feed 3 hungry dwarves. When we arrived at the Ant hill, we came across a man corroded head to armor to toe in acid. Whatever did this may still be nearby, nevertheless I ventured forward. I asked Ambrelune to grant me the ability to speak to these magnificent creations of Hers. She was kind, and so where the large ants. Through our conversation, they "Marked" myself and my dwarven compatriots as friends. What lovely creatures.
There was a journal upon the melted man. He was part of a party here at he behest of a wizard known as Kallavan looking for Ant Eggs. The journal describes a door or vault deep within the hive, marked by runes, with the ability to remove magical enchantments. Interesting., not something ants should be able to build. We entered the primary tunnel to the hive.
The tunnel travelled inward and abruptly stopped. With no clear path we turned to leave, stopped by Ants, some sort of mutated aggressive Ant. These Monstrous Ants spit some sort of acid, they prove tobe difficult initially, but tides were turned once the Giant Ants of the Hill joined the frey. Warrior Ants and larger Boomer Ants also fill this hive., what other wonderous ants are in this place.
Antkegs, the monstrous ants are known by this name. I have taken the Acid sack from one of these creatures and familiarized myself with their anatomy. Once the battle was over, the Warrior Ants marked the Mighty Smitty as a warrior, well deserved. We decide to travel deeper within the massive hive, only to find another battle ensuing between the Giant's ants and large scythe like beetles. We should rest after putting them down.
Redemption at the Goblin Caves
25th of Jali
My first trek to these caves was terrible. These caves, though naturally occurring, seem to be designed to drive men insane. Not I, strangely. I feel more at home in this place among Amberlune's children than back at camp. My last adventure here, I found my allies to be more dangerous than the goblin filled caves. I should not blame them, they are humanoids, and are filled with personal agenda, jealousy & greed. And governed by fear.
This time was different. This time there were no goblins, and I was not shot in the back by an ally.
We began our journey by visiting the mystical creature that takes the form of a woman in the water. I prayed to Amberlune for her protection on this journey. My Lady heard my call and sought fit to grant me a boon, one I do not understand but appreciate none the less. We set about our journey, Myself, Belanor Valmoria, an anoralfar of some apparent repute from Midgard, Gnar Bor, a infantile and feral ithilalfar, Lulubell Turem, a gnome capable of high magic, Guy Templeton, a loud chatty human, and lastly Oculo Fulgarum, the human with bad eye sight.
Three days to the cave, three days of traveling with this strange bunch, finding game to feed them, and learning what I could of them. Some of them had been to the caves previously and disposed of the goblin threat, my redemption may not come. We arrived, the group deliberated as to which cave to enter next, while they argued, I found large foot prints, Giants? Trolls? Ogres? Unsure, and a large four legged clawed beast, might be a bear, unsure.
We chose to hunt the large footed creature, a bear's cave is his home, Amberlune would not allow us to disturb him. Followed the footprints into one cave, we immediately found the bear and Gnar decided to poke the sleeping bear, my hands weren't quick enough. Amberlune was merciful, this bear was dead, this child was spared. I must do my best to take this child under my wing, I'm unsure of his story, but he cannot be allowed to continue to roam the world without guidance.
My new sword warned us of coming danger. Ogre, my guess was correct, unfortunately. The dead bear was a trap, smart Ogre, not good. Oculo flew into action, chaining it in lightening. I wished to burn away this Ogre but was accurate in my attempt, fine than, the blade for him. Spells and arrows where fired, Gnar proved useful with his blades, the "Jarl", whatever that may be, proved capable in the fight, my blade stuck the final blow, Ogre intestines smell awful. Smart Ogre, had a large organized stash of coin, not too bad.
The group deliberated more on which cave to enter next, Guy entered first with the flying cat friend of Lulubell. The feline will not speak with me, sadly. He returned retching over some stench, humans.... I scouted next with the flying cat, it still won't speak to me, sadly. I found the source of the stench: dead, rotted, acid-melted flesh, not good. My comrades join me in the natural stone hall that lead to a room with a crystal clear pool of water, in a cave. Images of that mimic entered my mind, shook them for the moment. We entered the room and again my sword warned of a near-by threat....from above, Oozes!!! Not Good!!!
Despite their efforts, we dispatched the slime at the cost of some of our metal swords and armor. Not a big deal, but must have my armor repaired before I adventure out again. In the water, we found an expensive goblet. We returned to town, traded the goblet for some spells scrolls and coin. I have heard that someone here is a building a druid grove to Amberlune, I will aid in this, My Lady deserves an altar here.
The Great Basilisk Dilemma
2nd of Jali
Naazim Al-Zahir, one of the many unique looking human from a country I have never treaded through, gave word he wished to hunt down some dangerous reptiles with the terrible ability to turn their prey into living stone statues, and then consuming these humanoid effigies. I choose to travel and aid in his hunt, hoping to redeem myself from my excursion and near failure with the goblins. We are joined by a rather intriguing halfling called Eldon Leagallow, and another strange human, Marius Blackmore. The little one, Eldon, has come in contact with one of the beasts and informed us of it's terrible gaze. Perhaps, we could avoid a fight by trapping the creature rather than meeting it head on, limiting the peril of facing it's gaze. We discussed what tactics we could use to accomplished this, after visiting the wondrous, mystical "lady" within the enclosed waters behind Glennahaven.
I was able to pick up tracks of at least two of these beasties, and they led us to a cavern hidden by foliage next to the river south of Glennhaven. It seemed we were not the first group of adventurers to track and take on these creatures, but my concern for these others was peaked when I noticed their trail only entered the cavern and did not exit it. We entered slowly, Using Marius' ability, we are able to light the passage within slowly, and immediately discover a stone effigy of one of the men that entered. Taking care to not meet any of these creatures eye to eye, we attempted to have both of them turn one another to stone...but met with no success. We attempted to blind the creature with Marius' ability but we found no success there either. Unfortunately, our position was given away and the fight ensued. We manage to defeat the beasts, thanks to Eldon and his blades finding the soft-bellies of these reptiles. After they were felled, Naazim suggested the stomach acids of the Baslisk should be able to break down the stone flesh of the poor humanoids trapped in that form. I went to work on harvesting the organs and other parts of the creature, Amberlune would be proud, I wasted little. We hung the stomach sacks to dry and continued to explore the cave.
Further within, in a large ditch, we found the nest. Several eggs, unhatched but for how long is uncertain, and a few recently hatched reptiles as well as slightly larger younglings. From there, we found 3 more statues of petrified humanoids as well as a large inner grotto filled with water. I returned to my compatriots and told them of my findings, and was immediately disappointed to hear their first reaction was to kill the younglings and smash the eggs. I felt my lady's protest within my heart, I would not harm these young ones, nature would take it's course with them, as it had with their adults we had found. But until they reached adulthood, until their instincts took over and in their eyes, we become prey, until that time, I would not raise my sword against them. I was rewarded by my lady, and my compatriots decide to leave the younglings to the their own devices for the time being. We moved into the grotto.
As we neared the waters to inspect another statue, a worm like creature emerged and immediately engaged us. This creature was completely different from the former reptiles, this creature also turned you to stone, but not with it's eyes, but with the secretions of flesh when struck. To our despair, both Eldon and Marius were petrified but not before dealing some blows. The killing blow was dealt by Naazim, his arrows proving deadlier then our blades. Naazim's idea regarding the stomach acid was our only hope of returning our compatriots to flesh. I went to work on the worm and pulled it's stomach from it's corpse. With no notion whether or not this would work, we coated our friends and to our great relief, both Eldon and Marius were returned to us with little damage from the acid. Now with the confirmation of this unrefined process functioning, we set to work on freeing those men we found. Four men were released and a fifth lay beneath the water, though the men were unaware of this fifth man.
It was no man at all, but a mimic disguised as a statue; nasty creatures, mimics. We dispatched the foul beast quickly with the aid of the men we released. We then found their true fifth man, their employer, a noblemen by the name of Jimithi Farfelkugel, waterlogged and bloated at the bottom of the grotto. The men we released took his credentials and signet ring and promised to return to his family with the grim news, they offered us what gold he had on his persons as well as his blade. We returned to camp and informed the Knights of the Elks of all the occurred and the location of the nest. May Amberlune watch over those younglings and give them a fighting chance to grow into formidable creatures, than the hunt is fair.
My first outing in Glenhaven.....Goblins.
15th of Lunesti, 1420 A.D.
I had begun to think my purpose here would not reveal itself right away, I thought perhaps I would spend time here first attempting to establish myself among the clergy, if there be any here. However an Anoralfar came into this make shift tavern to request aid in search a near-by rumored cavern.
Something about how this distant cousin of mine spoke said all I needed to hear, If i did not accompany them he would surely lead them to their doom.... He did not seem to come from the Forrest as I has nor as the other Ithilalfar, Gnar (strange namesake) had grown up in and would surely attempt to navigate the woods with little chance of survival. I decided to assist in there endeavor, mostly because they were accompanied by an gnome, with an intriguing familiar that I would very much like to get to know.
After some time making through the woods, we arrived at the ravine in question and found it to be some of of mining post, perhaps, it's unsure but multiple openings lead into the hill with different sets of footprints. My lady warns me that one of these creatures my be rather large so we decide to move away from the direction of those prints and head for the smaller ones, thinking them an easier target to manage, oh how wrong we were.
Goblins, several goblins filled the hall way we were in and pelted us with small arrows. I confess, the level of inexperience shown in some my compatriots is worrisome, I am uncertain if they are cut out for an outdoor adventuring lifestyle. I believe the strange human with his rusted pipe is rather new to fighting with allies in range. He struck me twice and has yet to apologize for his terrible aim. Never the less we defeated the small group, however we suffered much and left to lick our wounds. As we exited, the goblins called "brie-yak!!" loudly, no doubt calling for some help from other goblins. We much approach this by a different tactic, i'm sure my lady will guide me to a better path as we take respite....
Comments