DreamLyrics™ Play-by-Post Forums Fantasy SKT: The Storm King's Thunder 3W.1 - Conversation with the elf (Sindar, Aubric, and Arus with Berris ... and Kriv within earshot)

DM

As most of the others leave to go to the market, Berris decides to open up. He seems to have a keen sense of when and how to dispense information.

"Bern, your friend, was in Olostin's Hold just the other day," he started out. The elf looked at the others with keen intuition as the knowing looks passed between those listening. "Yes. Of course it wasn't your friend Bern. It certainly was an imposter. I suspect now that it was the doppleganger Vhalak who escaped when the Black Spider was defeated in the Mines of Phandelver."*

He was working with a dwarf and they were planning on holding some sort of auction not far from the small town. They were sell weapons and magic items. I think you know that too. What you may not know is that they held that auction and the weapons were purchased by dwarves.

* For those who may not know, this refers to the conclusion of the LMP: Lost Mines of Phandelver game.

Arus

Since joining the party he's heard all about the Phandelver adventure, the mine being the source of much their wealth. But the story has its loose ends. As they've travelled east, Arus has half-expected to wander across an old drunken monk in one of the taverns and then there's the damned doppelganger, Vhalak.

The paladin hopes to be stood beside Bern when the ranger finally puts an arrow in that conniving, feculent creature. Berris's forewarning of Vhalak in Olostin's Hold is helpful though not entirely unexpected. Bern must be getting used to frustrating questions from locals by now.

"Tis a shame that such foul beings never fall afoul of fouler on their journeys." Arus says with a wry grin.

Paying in kind for this information, Arus gives Berris a brief overview of the giant situation. He's aware that it amounts to little more than unrest amongst the giant nations resulting in increasing conflict in the region. So far the party haven't covered any firm leads on who or what's triggered the unrest.

Aubric

"So the doppelganger's at the Hold?" Aubric inquires. "I had heard the Weevil was headed there, but I've heard enough rumors that they planned to split up territory. Perhaps that's their base."

Berris

First he answered Arus, "That is good and important information," he says, having paid careful attention through the information exchange. "You are correct when you mentioned journeys. I was paying attention to Forkbeard but noticed something strange about his right hand man."

Then turning to Aubric he shook his head in disagreement, "No. Once I realized what it was I kept an eye on it and it left Olstin's Hold immediately after the auction. He was headed into the High Forest and he did so with some haste."

"As for the Weevil, the dwarf did not linger much longer. I think he was worried that the dwarves he sold the weapons to would realize that he had fooled them. He packed up and disappeared into the Evermoors. Why there, I am not sure."

"I sat with the dwarves after and asked them why they were seeking magic items. They were not very friendly and were tight lipped about it but after keeping an ear to the ground I learned that they didn't trust humans and elves and were going to need to fend for themselves. They had a particular disdain for members of the Lord's Alliance."

Aubric

"So Forkbeared headed north and the doppelganger did head into the forest," the cleric replies. "Which gives some truth to some of what I heard, even if not exactly as envisioned. But dwarves buying the weapons is new information," he adds. "Shame we don't have a dwarf in our company, but at least good to know we're not trusted."

Berris

"I think there may be good reason why the dwarves don't trust elves and humans. After the auction I tried to speak to the dwarves but they spat at my feet and called a traitorous elf. They stayed mostly to themselves after the auction before the left but there was a great deal of in-fighting coming from the room that they shared. I was walking by when I heard the arguing, which was all in dwarvish. Fortunately that is a language that I understand."

"From what I heard they were hoodwinked by the Forkbeard. They were angry about a fake magical aura that was detected by the dwarves before the auction had dissipated by the next morning. Apparently most of the weapons that they had bought were nice but mundane, certainly not worth the coin they spent."

"And yes, the doppelganger went into the forest but the Weevil actually headed into the Evermoors. He only sold a few items to the dwarves and had a wagon more of which he intended to sell to other humanoids. He doesn't seem to be scared of them. I think that's something worthy of note."

Arus

"It seems like this Weevil has made a side show of himself then. Whatever his business in the Evermoors, I know my sworn duty take me in the opposite direction, into the woods." Arus ponders aloud, glancing at Sindar and Aubric.

ooc: I see this will be tougher than imagined. See; this post. Aqua's group is the one going into the forest. But Olostin's Hold is where you're headed and technically it's in the forest.

Berris
"I don't know how you'll find the doppelganger in the High Forest," he muses. "But your best bet for information lies north on the Evermoor Way. Olostin's Hold is on the edge of the High Forest and about four days away if you're walking. That would be your starting point no matter who you go chasing."

He also looks at the other two and looks at Sindar and Aubric. "And you need to pass word about what you're learning to Krowen Valharrow in Everlund. You'll likely find him in Moomgleam Tower there."

[Arus has to go to Noanar's Hold though to deliver the Lionshield harnesses. Noanar's Hold is the south trail from Calling Horns whereas Olostin's is the east trail.]

ooc: We can make a pit stop
It's might be a good idea to get the entire group to Noanar's Hold first. Why don't you mention it in character? ]

[Yeah, I mean we don't have to play out Noanar's Hold. I'm happy to write a quick overview of Arus's business there and then resume adventuring at Olostin's. We shouldn't derail high adventure for a FedEx delivery. ]

[[ What ever works for the group <g> ]]

Arus

"My next port of call is the other Hold. Noanar's." he says.

What of Sindar and Aubric, what of Kriv, what is their next stop on this adventure in the Savage Frontier?

"But after that I'm a free agent."

Aubric

"Personally, I'm chasing the reward for capturing the Weevil," the cleric replies. "But I'm content to travel with a party and take detours if it keeps me alive, as long as that's the general direction."

Sindar

"My intended trip takes me much farther, but for now, the direction we are going is enough. I will stop where we stop as necessary." He nodded in agreement to carry Berris'es message as requested.

Berris
"Noanar's Hold? You must be jesting. I guess you are unaware of the stories about the place?" he says with an bemused grin.

"Aparently not! Well, let me tell you about it. First, the village is on the very edge of the High Forest. It grew up around a famous hunting lodge built over two hundred years ago. Back in those days it was quite popular. It was famous for the wild hunts that it hosted. These attracted some of the wealthiest nobles and merchants in the North!"

His face then hardened as he drew nearer to the others and started speaking more softly, "But Some who ventured to Noanar's Hold never returned. There were dark rumors that the Hunt Lords who ruled Noanar's Hold were arranging wanton slaughters to amuse their guests and even allowing their guests to hunt one another. Once the rumors started to spread, the place was shunned and the village fell on hard times."

"The good news is that it is nary a day away and an easy trip. I understand that your group is splitting up but," he looks directly at Arus, "if you are headed to Noanar's Hold, it wouldn't hurt to have friends along."