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Sindar

While not technically a student of history, as a bard he learned tales, and they were often based on some piece of history.


Sindar History
Pandemonium rolled 1d20+2 and got 20

Kriv

Ever the avid scholar, did those names ring a bell for the noble?

Kriv History
AJ rolled 1d20+6 and got 19

DM

While Zhu is unable to tie things together, the three others are able to make some connections.

Aubric recalls the name Algar Mortalos. It is associated with the unholy priest Banak, who was allied with Zhengyi, the Witch-King of Vaasa. Mortalos was elevated in his clergy when Banak was slain. He was rumored to have survived the Battle of Bloodstone and disappeared into history. The Battle of Bloodstone was a famous war fought between the nation of Damara and demon armies. A group of adventurers traveled into the Abyss with a mission to steal an artifact called the Wand of Orcus. It is the year 1490 DR and that Battle took place in 1359 DR, 139 years ago. It is also when the Times of Trouble began, when the gods are cast out of the planes by Lord Ao and forced to wander Toril as mortals.

Sindar recalls the name Cryxlaw as one of the founders of the Arcane Brotherhood, a mercantile company and wizards' guild that operated out of the Host Tower of the Arcane in Luskan. The organization was shrouded in mystery, as even its most high-ranking members were unknown until recently. It was known however that their primary goal was the political and economic control of the North. Since the inception of the Arcane Brotherhood Sindar has heard of the members that were trouble and others members that helped eliminate trouble. It is currently the year 1492 DR and the founding of the Arcane Brotherhood 200 years prior coincided with the reorganization of the Harpers by Sylune of Shadowdale, her sister Storm Silverhand, and a group of bards and rangers in Silverymoon. That is when Storm Silverhand was granted permission to construct Moongleam Tower in Everlund. Although the Harpers had learned of Cryxlaw, he had disappeared into history and was forgotten. If this is, indeed the same being, he would be over 200 years old.

Kriv knows of the name Erto, if it is the same Erto Grym from his history studies. Erto was with a party of brash dragon hunters that tried to defeat a great blue dragon called the "Doom of the Desert" that had . He, along with the rest of his party, was believe to have died trying. The archmage Elminster had said about that dragon that "the Doom of the Desert was the least lazy and sleepy wyrm I have ever known" and he believed that she was captured by a powerful archmage and modified by him to serve as an intelligent servant which made the dragon far more powerful than any other ancient dragons. These events happened over 100 years prior.

Kriv

The Dragonborn noble relayed the information with no small amount of scorn: Those who named themselves as 'Dragon Hunters' were brazenly confessing their intention to seek out sentient beings, murder and rob them. They certainly weren't going after a given individual as a matter of honour, duty or obligation, but going after a whole clade because they were reputed to be wealthy. Becoming an undying catspaw of the one he sought to burgle seemed a fitting fate.

Zhu

She listens to Kriv's information glancing, at both Aubric and Sindar to see if they have anything to add as they both are seemingly musing on the names revealed. "Well, best person to speak to about these Lords may be their Major Domo. That Dwarf seemed a bit gruff, but if anyone knows details about them he should."

DM

The quartet has learned quite a bit. The Hunt Lords are very old for humans - too old. Centuries ago they weren't weak but now they are likely some form of undead. If they retained their powers they are probably very dangerous individuals. The townsfolk are likely rightly worried about their lives if they cross them. However, the Hunt Lords do not attack or kill the villagers wantonly. And hunters still come from all around to participate in the Hunt Lord's hunts and even now there are hunters competing with each other. Those hunters seem to come back here and those same hunters meet with the Hunt Lords. They also note that the dwarven castellan has not been murdered by the hunt lords and has served them for many years.

Perhaps more important than the nature of the Hunt Lords is that they may have historic knowledge about matters that concern the party. It's now time to decide what their next step is and when to take that step.

Kriv

"Well, they're apparently not as inimical as first feared, and they're coexisting rather than ravening. The priority, the wider campaign against the giants, would warrant direct information gathering on those relevant topics, incidentally taking note of anything that would further your specific obligation. Whilst mindful of the risks, I would be willing to go and talk with them. As a precaution, I would leave my maul with you: Should I have reason to call it to hand, you would know matters warrant immediate attention."

The Dragonborn noble largely addressed the remarks to Zhu.

Zhu

"As I've said, I am not opposed to talking with them. If nothing else it will confirm their nature. If they have information regarding our larger quest, fine, however while I will agree to not attacking them unprovoked, I do not lean towards leaving them in power here." She looks at the others. "Unless you have anyone you want to talk with lets go to the tower. We can talk to the dwarf first and ask for an audience with the Hunt Lords."

Kriv

The Dragonborn nodded assent.

Aubric

The cleric also nods, having no objection to the plan.

Zhu

With agreement from the others she leads the way to the tower.

(OOC - Might as well stop wasting everyone's time.)

DM
It is now a bit past midday and you make their way to the Huntlord's keep. Unlike the day before, this one is a sunny day and the ground that was soaked from the previous day's rain has now dried up. The keep is nestled among old pine trees on a hilltop overlooking the sleepy village.

The building has three stories, corner turrets, and rooftop battlements. One of the turret rooftops has collapsed, leaving a gaping hole through which birds and other creatures can enter. All the windows are bricked up, and the heavy oaken doors on the ground floor are barred from within. You know of another entrance to the keep, in the back, to a room that looked like an armory.

You climb up the hill from the town to the keep, the forest canopy keeps them mostly shaded and comfortable. The front door, the main entrance to the keep is ahead. There is a back way in through a door which led into the armory where Arus dropped off the harnesses he was asked to deliver.

Kriv

The Dragonborn strode to the front door and knocked resoundingly.

DM
The dragonborn's knocks on the front door and there's a long moment of stillness that follows. A second rap on the door also has a long moment of stillness which is eventually broken by the call from within. "Coming...". After another long pause the sound of a bar being lifted on the other side of the door is followed by Amrath Mulnobar, the castellan of the keep, cracking the door open, looking up and saying "What?" rather pointedly.

Kriv

"I hight Kriv Norixius of Norixius Keep. I seek an audience with my peers that reside here, to discuss matters of mutual concern. My credentials."

Signet Ring prominent, scroll of pedigree apparent, the Dragonborn Noble sought to leverage his position of privilege.

(OOC - Just got back from my trip. Hope I didn't keep anyone waiting.)

Zhu

Since Kriv has taken the lead on gaining entry, she waits a step behind him keenly observing what she can see.

DM

"Peers?" the dwarf snickers. "Lemme see that paper," he says.

ooc: Persuasion roll for Kriv please.

(OOC - Since some of our players are tied up, I might mention the Bard can boost Kriv's roll.)

Kriv

Kriv Persuasion
AJ rolled 1d20+3 and got 17

The Dragonborn certainly looked the part, his presence and demeanour speaking of an upbringing to match the pedigree.

OOC: So can the cleric! Can also cast Zone of truth if desired, although that may not be desired.