Dimitrio steps in, "Well, no. We weren't thinking of just letting you go on your merry way. In fact, you understand that whatever weapon we have given you, it's only on a temporary basis and you will return it to us."
He then adds, "As far the Winter Council and the Queen go, we are also very new to elven politics and care nothing of it. We have received help from the Queen and currently are on a mission to find the Winter Council. Can you provide any help?"
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He hears her offer to retrieve Armistril he raises an eyebrow and looks her over, not sure they can trust her.
In any event she seems as lost as they are, so he relaxes, just a little bit. "Only bows are mine, an' I ain't too keen on lendin' 'em out. Maybe the kid 'll give ya his crossbow." He says without introduction. "You don't know your way back home?"
"Fair enough, but I'll pass on the crossbow, and trust to my luck." she smiles. "Vrock can teleport, so I could be anywhere in the thick of this forest. I could find my way back given time, but you have said we're close - so in what direction does the fortress lie?"
Dimitrio steps in, "Well, no. We weren't thinking of just letting you go on your merry way. In fact, you understand that whatever weapon we have given you, it's only on a temporary basis and you will return it to us."
He then adds, "As far the Winter Council and the Queen go, we are also very new to elven politics and care nothing of it. We have received help from the Queen and currently are on a mission to find the Winter Council. Can you provide any help?"
"Are you saying you raised me to imprison me? I have already stated I'll return your blade when I get access to one of my own, but if that arrangement concerns you, here." she removes the long sword and expertly hands it pommel first to Dimitrio.
"You have said you're opposed to the Winter Council, whom I serve. I shall not be the one to let the Guard down through treachery - no matter what you've done for me - for which I am naturally very appreciative. However, I didn't talk when the demons began their spirited game with my life, and I won't talk now." she says firmly.
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Allarnon continues to listen eagerly to the conversation, not at all aware that he made a mistake by answering the woman's questions.
"Kaylayne brought you back so you might help us get there. There are some on the Winter Council who aren't what they seem and are working with the Drow."
He smiles a toothy grin still believing the elf to be true of her heart and good.
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"I appreciate you may be hostile to the demons, but that’s an easy thing to do. Hostility to the Winter Council though is a problem for me."
"Your death at the whim of demons didn't seem to be an easy thing. Did your hostility towards demons put you in that unfortunate position? As for the Winter Council, who said anything about hostility? Can they not be reasoned with?" Lief frowns, as Ina becomes defensive.
"Are you saying you raised me to imprison me?"
Lief tsks. "You hit your head too hard in the fall. If we meant to arrest you, you'd have awoken with manacles on. You were raised, because it was the right thing to do, according to Kaylayne and Allarnon. They saw fit to help you in your plight, and mourned your loss, despite the fact that they knew nothing of who you are."
"You have said you're opposed to the Winter Council..."
"We've said nothing of the kind, Ina. You were brought back from death, and you see us as enemies? Stopping the Council, as Allarnon has said, has been done before. They attempted to assassinate us in Iadara. You are employed by a secret organization, who moves unfairly against outsiders to your elven nation. Should I go on, or is your loyalty too deeply buried? There are dire events in motion, and there is little time to bring you up to speed. Why did you not question us and our intentions in seeking out the Winter Council? Because you are too quick to judge."
Lief pauses a moment, then continues. "If you're willing to help us bring Armistril to talk with us, why is that not treachery in the Guard's eye? Wouldn't you be leading him into ambush? Or imprisonment? When Dimitrio said he didn't want you going on your merry way, did you not think that perhaps he had your best intentions in mind, seeing as how wandering off alone would likely get you killed a second time in one day? You still haven't told us how you encountered the vrock. I would know that, at least."
”You speak clearly, and yet in circles. You are here, hostile to the Winter Council, and not. They attempted to assassinate you, yet you’re here to help them. I don’t know what’s true.” She shakes her head.
”I am not going to take you into Thorn’s End, but I do believe you should speak to Armistril. It is not my place to talk to strangers about Thorn’s End, no matter what you’ve done for me. So I shall, as I said, bring him here so you may speak with him about these weighty issues.”
”As for bringing Armistril into a trap, you raised me, and I figure I owe you an even chance, so i’m going to trust you. But go against my commander or any of my mates, and I’ll have you, no matter how powerful you are, if it takes all my long years.” she warns gravely.
”If you won’t meet with Armistril, and intend instead to storm the fortress, then I must stand in opposition to you. I suspect that will mean my death, uh, again, but that's better than the loss of my honor.” she smiles weakly, not looking forward to what might lie down that path.
She waits for your decision, and directions to Thorn's End if that be the parties decision.
"...yet you're here to help them."
Lief has clearly heard enough of Ina. He looks at his companions with an expression that oozes 'she's clearly your problem'. He makes sure the others are closer to her than he, then waits to learn their decision, too.
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Allarnon is conflicted and not quite sure how to answer as he doesn't want to kill the elven warrior for doing what she thinks is right. He spends several moments thinking before answering.
"I would rather not see you killed over your morals. I will speak with Armistril, but only if the rest agree."
"Don't see much of a point in arguin' here anyway." Ederin says as Allarnon agrees to talk to Armistril. "Ain't got a real clue where to go."
Turning to the raised elf Ederin shrugs. "You got your rules, I got mine, maybe they don't line up so neatly, but either way we gotta get to Thorn's End. You can't get there on your own, and we're only mostly sure we're goin' in the right direction. You know any landmarks, or anything else that could help us figure it out?"
Ederin - Kaylayne can see Thorn's End from the tree tops. It's just a mile or so due north of your current position - assuming the structure she sees is in fact Thorn's End. That said, it's ~45 minute slog through the forest to actually get there. So Ina could probably get there on her own - if she was told that information.
'course there are demons about as well, so there are good arguments for going as a group.
Kaylayne shoots another annoyed look at Dimi, then shakes her head.
It should never have come to this.
"Yeah, fine. Let's go. It's that way," Kaylayne points the direction. When they get about 10 or 15 minutes away, she will cast a few more spells, expecting a Vrock party reception.
Ina thinks a moment, and seems to make up her mind. ”OK, I’ll smuggle you in to see Armistril, but it is unpleasant. There is a tunnel that lets out about a hundred yards into the forest to the west. That tunnel though comes up in what is now heaps of garbage and refuse. Years worth. But if we can get through it without being noticed, there’s a gate right there and we can enter the fortress without the demons knowing it.”
”Let’s go.”
The party and Ina travel through the thick forest for nearly a mile before Ina breaks to the west a bit, circling around a structure you cannot even see through the forest, but you can hear the screeching of the demons. Ederin also thinks he saw a satyr deep in the wood at one point but he can’t be sure.
You’re safely at the mouth of the tunnel, itself well hidden and concealed. Ina opens the passage and gestures into the darkness beyond. Lichen provide dim light (enough for elven eyes to see) but perhaps you want to supply your own brighter lights.
You’ll be coming through sewage, so feel free to plan for disease and nausea as well.
Please make stealth checks in anticipation of the other side of the tunnel.
There was no downside, right? Well, Dimitrio didn't count on an ungrateful elf who valued her morals over her life. But they weren't going to kill her for that, were they?
Dimitrio gives Layne a weak smile and shrugs his shoulders, "I thought it was a good idea."
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Once inside the tunnel, the bard calls up some light and also perfumes his mustache with some pine scent, just enough to mask the smell of raw sewage. All the while, he started thinking how the hell he got in this mess...
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Ederin agrees to Ina's plan, since it seems to satisfy everyone's needs and he's glad to be out of the forest and into something like a city, even if it did mean traveling through sewage.
"Hope one o' you has somethin' to help any o' us that comes down with sickness." He says before the reach the tunnel. "Cause I ain't got a damn thing."
Once in the tunnel, Ederin lights his sword enough to see and follows their guide, keeping an eye on her and one hand on his bow, ready for any demons that may pop out. As they near the end he looks to the rest.
"Let me take point. Ain't too many eye's that can spot me when I mean to keep hidden."
First you want to bring this Armistril to us, now you want to sneak us into Thorn's End, without the Guard's knowledge. Would you make up your mind, already.
Lief moves along with the others, for, really, he has no choice. Ina and Armistril are agents of the Winter Council. Thorn's End has a demon problem, therefore the Winter Council has a demon problem. Without a clear picture of what they expect to demand from the Winter Council, other than their lives, there should be no desire on any of their parts to assist the Winter Council with their demons, for their demons are their own. What information could they demand? What price could they exact? Trudging through sewage to get there? One would think that elves shat rose petals and cumin. Yet, here they are, subjecting themselves, debasing themselves, for an unknown imperative.
Lief waits for Ederin to take point, the stealthy man about his business.
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The bear duo isn't much more stealth as the large bears slosh through the raw sewage, keeping their noses aimed well above the water's breaking point.
"Not so bad once you get used to the smell." He chuckles at Ederin. "If you catch anything I'll see about taking care of it tomorrow." The bears both splash the rotten water all over the place as they plow through it.
At the conclusion of the post-raising, Kaylayne will offer her final thought to Ina.
"Ina, I expect nothing in return for the gift that the spirits gave you back your life. It is yours again to spend wisely or foolishly. I do not ask that you use it for or against us, but do know these two truths: one, we come from the Elven Queen and two, the Winter Council is working with the Drow to bring ruin. We have seen the results of the destruction and the deception."
* * *
Kaylayne keeps quiet as they move along, mostly to keep her anger in check. Not that it matters now, Kaylayne knows. They are likely in the same place they would have been even if Kaylayne hadn't trusted another.
Kaylayne moves slowly and carefully...to maintain her woodly stealthiness.
Stealth
I suppose the complex is considered urban, rather than forest, for those of you with abilities and effects involving terrain. So once you’re down the tunnel, plan accordingly. Ederin, I thought in the urban setting your bonus was +4 and +2 underground. Do I have that reversed?
Though Ederin tries to keep the party quiet, he doesn’t have much success. You climb through a grate on the floor of a small courtyard, filled with garbage, feces, and worse from the demons. It looks like the fortress dumps their garbage here, and the demons add their own special mix to make it a truly foul experience.
As you surface, pushing the fetid mess aside, please make Fort DC 13 saves vs nausea (Kaylayne excepted). Also please make DC 12 Fort saves vs Filth Fever.
Your surprise round is surfacing into the courtyard. As you do so, Ina whistles, like a small forest bird, and a door opens nearby. There is a new map up, but please keep in mind what you can see - mostly just two Babau demons bearing down on you…
Allarnon
Dimitrio
Ederin (+2 underground, +4 urban)
Kaylayne (acts in surprise round)
Lief
Ina
Good Guys
Well, OK then. As everyone has beaten the demons, and on Ina's initiative the side doors open to the keep, we can hand wave this if the party simply rushes into the building, dripping muck as you go.
Yet you may have other ideas, so as you please. The party is up! Both doors to your immediate east are open, and the guard there motions you through to the inner rally point.
Round 1, Init 27
AC = 23
HP = 92/92
Weapon Equipped = +3 Spell Storing Rapier
Condition(s) = None
The enemy of my enemy...
Lief spies more than the babau, and that's all that's necessary to move him through the doors, plunging into the unknown quantity that is Thorn's End.
While running inside, he sheathes his weapon, unsure exactly how he will be perceived by Ina's host.
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Allarnon and Tarkir slosh about the ill-fated water with little issues besides the smell.
Seeing Lief take off at a full run Allarnon does the same with Tarkir bounding closely behind him. Their paws thud heavily against the soft dirt as grimes splashes from their fur in the sun's rays like children splashing in the pond.
As they come up from the tunnel Ederin feels the outside breeze and shivers. The smell of the refuse around them forces the contents of his stomach up and he finds himself physically holding his mouth shut in an attempt to keep quiet.
As the door opens, Ederin rushes through, barely noticing how warm his face feels against the clammy palm of his hand. He barely makes it five feet into the building before vomiting on the floor, and casting an apologetic look at the elves who have let him in.
Lief looks back on Ederin, a pained look crossing his face. Can't fault him for the slog through the filth. Let's only hope we have time to address the conditions...
Round 1, Init 24
Kaylayne flies through the open door to the rallying point.
Fort vs. Filth
Kaylayne checks out the litanies of demons, examining each with an eye towards learning, towards defeating them.
Know (Planes) - babau
Know (Planes) - big pig face
Know (Planes) - any others?
Kaylayne identifies the Babau (DR 10/cold iron or good), something big and nasty and probably in charge, and some Vrok as well. No additional questions with those rolls though, sorry.
There is a large quantity of smaller creatures in the mix too, they look like satyrs (knowledge nature).
Know (nature)
fiendish satyr barbarian, CE medium fey, DR 5/ cold iron and magic, rage, smite good. Nasty little brutes... excellent foot soldiers.
Dimitrio thanks his perfumed handkerchief as he scurries after everyone leaving the fighting for another day. Or never
Once inside he nears a bent over Ederin and offers his handkerchief, "Here Shorty. At least you can wipe your mouth."
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The demons scream with rage at having missed their opportunity. They come scrabbling at you, but the guard slams the door after the last of you is through and they seem unable to effect entry. You hear them pounding against the structure, and all around the forest, you hear demons, and other fell beasts, raise their excited cry.
You enter a huge, airy chamber which was once decorated with finery fit for kings - but the faded tapestries on the walls are thick with dust, and the stonework is crumbling and coated with mold. High above, the vaulted ceiling is decorated with ancient frescoes depicting the sun, the moon, and various deities of the elven pantheon.
One of the guards, splashed slightly by Ederin’s expulsions, exclaims, ”Ina! We thought you were lost! Welcome home.” he looks over the others and commands, ”Tecwyn, we’ve some refuges from the tunnel!”
A slender elf strides forward from the group at the door, decked as the other guards, but this one has some magic as she casts Prestidigitation to clean the muck from yourselves and your gear. In the moments it takes to get clean, Ina asks, ”Where is Armistril, these folk have things to discuss with him.” The other guard nods to a far door, still smiling.
The party, now clean, is lead with military precision and speed into the next chamber, clearly a dining hall. Several graceful yet sturdy mahogany tables cover the length of this wide room. The tables are covered with embroidered linen cloths, and one table is dominated by six magnificent chairs - all of which are finely coated in a layer of dust. It is clear this room does not get much use as a dining hall. Perhaps not for years.
One small table is cleared of dust however, and an elven fighter (link) carrying a monstrously large shield stands from it and greets you. He smiles warmly at the group as Ina hastily introduces everyone. The other guards close the door with a gesture from Armistril, and you are alone with Ina and the guard captain.
”Ina, it is good to see you alive. I presume these people had something to do with it, or you’d not have brought them with you. My name is Armistril, and I’m the guard captain here. What business do you have in this part of the world?” he seems unaffected by the screeching still slightly heard through the thick walls though the cacophony of it grates on your nerves a bit as does the shuddering of the walls as something large tries to gain entry.
Glad to be away from the sewage and the raging demons outside, Dimitrio still feels uncomfortable, out of place, in this keep.
He nods politely at the question but defers to the others to lead this conversation.
Meanwhile, he finishes the cleaning job already started by the elven wizard.
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"What business do you have in this part of the world?"
Lief looks at Dimitrio, hesitant in his own right to speak, but surprised the dancer doesn't want to engage with the superior warrior, at least in words. Knowing Ederin is not much for diplomacy, and fearing Allarnon will say something blunt and possibly instigating, he steps forward, offering a newly clean hand.
"Where to begin. We have roots in Riddleport, not far from Crying Leaf. From there, we traveled through Zirnakaynin, before arriving in Iadara. In Iadara, we offered intelligence regarding a drow plan to bring about a massive catastrophe, on the same level as the First Earthfall. This effort is spearheaded by a drow by the name of Allevrah Azrinae, who now travels to the Land of Black Blood, where she'll continue, unopposed, to bring about a Second Age of Darkness. So far, so good?" Lief doesn't want to overwhelm a military man, but hopes his words don't fall on deaf, zealous ears.
"We are here, specifically because the Winter Council acted against us. My group here. They attempted to assassinate us, while guests of the Queen, for having the audacity of bringing the drow conflict to light. We have reason to believe that the Winter Council has lost its way, and may impede us further in acting against Allevrah. Though they are quite distant from Kyonin, here, they have reach, as we were unfortunate to merit. Ina speaks of loyalty to protecting the Winter Council, so I will respect your position, but we must make them, whoever they are, see the truth of the matter, by any means necessary. It may mean the difference between elven genocide and defusing the threat before it's too late." Lief considers a moment.
"I will be honest with you, Armistril, because I sense you are a reasonable elf. This problem, it is an elven one. Dismissing the drow presence as boogie or myth has led to a threat directed only at your people. The only reason I participate in this dangerous cause is what it means to my homeland, should the drow prevail. If you won't help us here, we can be of no further service. What say you?"
Ederin sits on the floor with his back to a wall as Lief succinctly recaps the last few weeks of their lives for the soldiers around them.
Despite his fever he keeps a close eye on Armistril, trying to read the mans reactions to Lief's information, hoping it doesn't lead to a fight, or them being tossed out to the demons in the city.
At the very least, he discerns that Armistril really likes wolves.
Kaylayne initially winces as Lief begins to speak, but relaxes visibly as he measures on. Kaylayne doesn't know if it will work or not, but she feels she has given the elves a chance to decide their fates for themselves...with truth.
"Where to begin. We have roots in Riddleport, not far from Crying Leaf. From there, we traveled through Zirnakaynin, before arriving in Iadara. In Iadara, we offered intelligence regarding a drow plan to bring about a massive catastrophe, on the same level as the First Earthfall. This effort is spearheaded by a drow by the name of Allevrah Azrinae, who now travels to the Land of Black Blood, where she'll continue, unopposed, to bring about a Second Age of Darkness. So far, so good?" Lief doesn't want to overwhelm a military man, but hopes his words don't fall on deaf, zealous ears.
"We are here, specifically because the Winter Council acted against us. My group here. They attempted to assassinate us, while guests of the Queen, for having the audacity of bringing the drow conflict to light. We have reason to believe that the Winter Council has lost its way, and may impede us further in acting against Allevrah. Though they are quite distant from Kyonin, here, they have reach, as we were unfortunate to merit. Ina speaks of loyalty to protecting the Winter Council, so I will respect your position, but we must make them, whoever they are, see the truth of the matter, by any means necessary. It may mean the difference between elven genocide and defusing the threat before it's too late." Lief considers a moment.
"I will be honest with you, Armistril, because I sense you are a reasonable elf. This problem, it is an elven one. Dismissing the drow presence as boogie or myth has led to a threat directed only at your people. The only reason I participate in this dangerous cause...
Armistril’s face is impassive for most of Lief’s short speech, though an eyebrow does flicker at the mention of Allevrah. When he finishes, Armistril is quiet a long time, lost in thought. He looks to Ina, but more as a reminder of things nearly lost than to answer a question.
When he speaks, it’s to tell a tale rather than respond directly.
“I’d been serving at Thorn’s End for years - barely long enough to start feeling that it was my home when it happened. There was an argument in the Council meeting room, and by the time I managed to get in there, the deed had been done. The eldest of the Council was slain in the fight, a brilliant wizard by the name of Auramesties.” he looks saddened by the experience and pauses a moment for the dead before continuing - his eyes fixed on one of the great chairs.
”Another of the Council, General Allevrah, fled after the conflict, but neither I nor my troops saw her flee… The remaining four councilors have retreated into seclusion.” he seems about to say more, but shakes his head slightly and simply adds, ”More than that is just rumor and guess work, but I have to wonder at the similarity of the names, and other things.”
He looks over the party some little while before continuing. ”Someone must convince the remaining four to convene a meeting, they’ve been silent and alone too long. I suspect that only if one could get them all in the same room would there be any chance of learning more from them, or convince them to act. I ask only that you moderate your blades and spells, for the concept of the Council is sound and has served my people for many long generations. If something of it can be salvaged and saved, it would do the elven nation good.”
”Gather the Winter Council to the council chamber above and plead your case. My troops will help where we can, but as Ina may have mentioned, we are besieged, and have been for quite a while now, so there is little I can spare.” he thinks a moment, ”I’ll have Ina accompany you to smooth things with the members, and help you navigate our keep for some areas are safer than others.”
Lief finds little surprise in Armistril's words, nothing to hearten them. Jolting ancients into speaking with each other, after a stretch? Sounds like marriage. The young man assesses Armistril, and finds him lacking, a facilitator of shut-ins, recluses, hermits... the demented.
"Armistril, who are we about to engage? For your time in their company, what can you tell us, to avoid unpleasantries in our diplomatic efforts? Do not let us go in blind."
"Well, that ain't the answer I expected." Ederin says with a small chuckle as he picks himself up off the floor.
"The kids right, it ain't so easy dealin' with your normal everyday fancyla- er, elves, now we gotta treat with your bosses who been hidin' for, how long exactly? I know you lot live a bit longer 'an us, yeah? Seems you think about time a bit different too, so when exactly did this Auram-" The archer stops a moment to think and gives up. ""The eldest councilman, when was he killed? If they been locked away too long, it's gonna be even harder to deal with 'em, eh?"
He hacks a little, try to dislodge some of the sick still caught in his throat and looks back to Armistril.
"Don't suppose you got some arrows layin' around either, yeah? Might even help you cap off a few demons if you got an open spot to shoot from."
Kaylayne looks out at the demons and wonder why they wait outside.
"Also, Armistril, as Ina has mentioned, some demons can teleport...how come the demons remain outside? How come they have not overcome the defenses here long ago? And why are they here? Maybe we should know more of this conflict before we meet anyone else."
He asks a simple question out of his confusion. "You have been under attack for quite some time but yet your leaders can't seem to want to gather fora meeting? Is this normal?"
”Oh, in the Tanglebriar, these attacks occur with some regularity. This one is one of the fiercer attacks to be sure, and when the council lost its leader, our magical defenses did falter but only a little.” he shrugs. ”It’s been, oh, I guess a few months now - so not that long really.” he looks more concerned then his speech might suggest however.
"Armistril, who are we about to engage? For your time in their company, what can you tell us, to avoid unpleasantries in our diplomatic efforts? Do not let us go in blind."
”No, of course not. There are four members of the council here.”
”Arlindil liaises between the Winter Council and Golarion’s elven druids. He is currently the council’s oldest living member, and, perhaps not coincidentally, the most 'hard-line' of an already traditionalist group. As a druid, he recognizes that there are natural cycles to all things, and most of his philosophy revolves around the elves not impeding Golarion’s ability to carry out those cycles. Lately, he broods in his rooms mostly.“
”Hialin is the Winter Council’s resident expert on arcane magic, and represents the interests of elven arcane spellcasters throughout Golarion. He also researches arcane knowledge, and is the keeper of Thorn’s End’s archives. A quiet and intense man, Hialin has become a bit of a recluse of late and spends his time in his laboratory or his quarters.“
”Malindil is the commander-in-chief of the Council’s defenders, my boss, and the main point of contact with the Shin’Rakorath and various other contacts scattered throughout Kyonin. Her primary concern is to maintain the integrity of Thorn’s End, and it is primarily at her insistent arguments that the Winter Council has not yet given up on their traditional home.“
”Perelir is the council’s advisor on divine affairs - a theologist who specializes in divinations, making her invaluable to the Council. She also serves as the Council’s armorer, providing for most of our magical arms and armor. She’s the most outspoken of the councilors; as a priestess of Calistria, she often differed on opinions with the rest of the Winter Council. She generally spends her days in her chamber or tending to the chapel itself, and has grown uncharacteristically gloomy and morose.“
"The kids right, it ain't so easy dealin' with your normal everyday fancyla- er, elves, now we gotta treat with your bosses who been hidin' for, how long exactly? I know you lot live a bit longer 'an us, yeah? Seems you think about time a bit different too, so when exactly did this Auram-" The archer stops a moment to think and gives up. ""The eldest councilman, when was he killed? If they been locked away too long, it's gonna be even harder to deal with 'em, eh?"
"Don't suppose you got some arrows layin' around either, yeah? Might even help you cap off a few demons if you got an open spot to shoot from."
”Just a few months really, so not terribly long, but long enough that I start to worry.” he turns to Ina, ”Start with the armory so you and Ederin may equip yourselves. You also look a little peaked, see Perelir for what ails you.”
"Also, Armistril, as Ina has mentioned, some demons can teleport...how come the demons remain outside? How come they have not overcome the defenses here long ago? And why are they here? Maybe we should know more of this conflict before we meet anyone else."
He smiles, ”This fortress is magically protected. The demons cannot get in no matter how hard they try. Being as chaotic as they are, they’ll eventually give up and wander off and we’ll reclaim the outer sections once again. When Auramesties was killed, there was some slippage in the protections, so it is not absolute. We lost some fine people.” his tone changes with the memory of the fighting that day.
”This forest was once as lush and beautiful as any in Kyonin. It’s overrun with demons now to be sure, but it was not always so. Someday, we’ll take back this land and it will be ours once again. But that is talk of another time and place - not important now. For now the demons are but an annoyance. The silence in our Council chamber is more pressing.”
”Malindil is the commander-in-chief of the Council’s defenders, my boss, and the main point of contact with the Shin’Rakorath and various other contacts scattered throughout Kyonin. Her primary concern is to maintain the integrity of Thorn’s End, and it is primarily at her insistent arguments that the Winter Council has not yet given up on their...
Dimitrio thinks hard trying to remember, "The Shin’Rakorath? Wasn't that the people that the elf back in Riddleport was working for? That's how we got in this whole mess."
He shrugged, "Maybe that's who we need to go see first and mention Kwava and the service we provided him."
Kaylayne takes a moment to process all the different parts of what the elf says.
"What are you talking about? Protections? They may not be able to teleport in, but surely they can break open these measly gates or send malign spell after spell upon the defenders. I've heard those vrocks can dance...bringing ruin upon all around them. Are you saying that their magics do not affect the defenders? Hmmm...interesting."
Kaylayne looks around for the vrocks she saw flying earlier.
"Tell me, Captain, do your defenders have blessed arrows for overcoming the natural immunities of these demons? If so...do you have any of them to spare? Our team could help should we be attacked again."
Kaylayne looks more, worried about being trapped in here by demons.
"Why is it that you stay here at all? Why not return to the homeland? Why not either push the demons out or flee to another location? Seems silly to live where death is so prevalent and any guard," Kaylayne's eyes flick to Ina, "...where any guard might be snatched and killed so quickly."
"No, there's a, well, let's just say there's a magic that prevent that. The demons cannot pierce the protections, by spell or might."
"Blessed arrows? We use cold iron exclusively here, but for those who resist even that we have little recourse aside from one or two items personally owned and a handful of spells. But of the cold iron, we have plenty."
"It is not my decision to stay or go. I am to protect the Council, and they have elected to remain here. Simple."
"The Shin’Rakorath? Wasn't that the people that the elf back in Riddleport was working for? That's how we got in this whole mess."
"Kwava sent us out here to work for 'em, an' we been fightin' drow and demons every since." Ederin says, nodding in agreement with Dimitrio's last sentiment.
"Anyway sounds like we got our work cut out for us, yeah? Ina an' me gotta go see this Perry about arms and such anyway, maybe I can talk her into comin' to this meetin'. Sounds like she'd be the easiest to persuade."
Silently he agrees with Kaylayne, but Ederin recognizes a soldier when he sees one and knows Armistril won't budge unless ordered to.
"Blessed arrows? We use cold iron exclusively here, but for those who resist even that we have little recourse aside from one or two items personally owned and a handful of spells. But of the cold iron, we have plenty."
Kaylayne snorts.
"And maybe that is why you fail so much. You allow these free-roaming demons ease to menace your door without proper ways to dismiss them. It is nice that you have the coldest of iron, but have you considered finding a God of Good who might sanction your rebellion against the good elves?"
Kaylayne shakes her head.
"It's sad that you have been here for so long, and under attack for so long, yet you lack the tools to eliminate the demons from this plane. Does it not say something about your Council, who truly know better, that they have not equipped you for better? So that those like Ina need not perish a needless death? What does it say about you that they do not even value your lives?"
"This fortress has existed throughout time since before the first Earthfall. I do not consider that a failure young woman."
"But if you would do better, I wish you luck - the demons are waiting for you right through that door. This forest, like the worldwound, is tied to the demonic realms. There is a never-ending flow of demons. Until the Queen decides it's a priority, all that is done is harass the demons of the Tanglebriar - making forays but nothing more. I agree that rooting out the source would be useful, but it is beyond me and my men to do so."
"You also seem to think the Council is apart from the family of Elves. You should know that is not so. But who am I to convince you? All is simple for you, but here in the Tanglebriar, things are not so simple."
He shakes his head as well, "Perhaps you are not ones who would help us, but rather simply bring negativity to our house and add more troubles to our pile." he seems to be reconsidering allowing you access to the upper floors.
"But I shall not be as you. I have faith in others, and take the longer view. We shall overcome this menace, and face many more before we rest." he stands and gives one final piece of advice.
"I suggest you not take that tone with the Council however, or yours will be a short trip, and fraught with failure - unless your goal is truly to kill everyone here." He strides from the room, leaving Ina looking somewhat concerned that her voice and life have given you access to the Council, and you may only bring destruction.
She takes a deep breath and sticks to her training and orders. "There are arrows and other weapons this way. I can re-equip and return your sword." She leads you through the far door to a large circular chamber.
The walls of this vaulted chamber are lined with half a dozen weapon racks of longswords, bows, and spears, all of exquisite workmanship. Archery targets and practice dummies lean against the southern wall as well. The center of the room is clear. The polished stone floor has obviously seen decades, if not centuries, of sparring, drilling, and exercising.
Ina grabs a cold iron elven curve blade, a stout shield, an excellent bow, and fills her quivers with arrows. She gestures, offering the weapons of the keep for your use if you should need them as she returns your longsword.
Oh - while moving around the keep, I'll be moving your tokens so the map is always more or less current. Not critical in most cases, so don't worry about checking the map every post.
Just couldn't let it go, eh Kay? Ederin thinks to himself as he watches Armistril tighten up. When the elf storms from the room he looks at Kaylayne her and raises his hands.
He frowns as he follows Ina toward the circular chamber
"I ain't the most diplomatic person, I know, but I ain't so clear what your goal was. Piss 'im off after he let us in and offered advice? So you could tout the graces o' some god you found a month ago to deal with slittin' some throats? Bit self righteous, eh?"
"Kid told 'im everything and he gave us an option he didn't 'ave to. Coulda shoves us out the door to take dirt baths, but instead we got arms, armor and the mental state o' these councilmen elves. He's doin' what he knows to help his people. Maybe let it be next time."
As he speaks, Ederin grabs two quivers worth of cold iron arrows and tattoos his adamantine ones back onto himself for use later.
Lief's jaw begins to hurt with its grinding, the longer Kaylayne berates, chastises, proselytizes to, then patronizes the commander of the Elven Guard, all within the space of two breaths.
When Ederin speaks, the young man's jaw loosens. It's still tight enough, that it keeps him from redressing Kaylayne.
"Let's move on, shall we? I suggest we begin with Perelir, on Armistril's word." If the others agree, he'll encourage Ina to take them to see her.
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”This forest was once as lush and beautiful as any in Kyonin. It’s overrun with demons now to be sure, but it was not always so. Someday, we’ll take back this land and it will be ours once again. But that is talk of another time and place - not important now. For now the demons are but an annoyance. The silence in our Council chamber is more pressing.”
Allarnon nods his head as he sees little wrong in the way Kaylayne was speaking, though at times he could be a bit blunt himself without realizing it until mentioned.
Walking through the many chambers Allarnon thinks back on what Armistril said about the forest outside and it reminds him of home.
"This is what could happen to my home if the demon's were left unchecked. This is what my place could become in an instant if it were not protected and well hidden."
His mind drifts in thought of demon's invading his homeland and killing everyone and everything precious to him. Slaughtering his family, burning the forest and skinning every piece of wildlife that comes near.
He follows silently behind Lief, allowing him to speak before he loses his calm demeanor at the silly bureaucrats.
"But if you would do better, I wish you luck -..."
Kaylayne shakes her head, wondering if the elf is being willfully obtuse. She smiles and tries to explain again.
"I think you missed my point, friend. Let me try to explain again. We heard Ina die. We came upon her in a large pile of many other elves...she was not the first to be toyed with before she was killed. The demons have been slaughtering you. And, if I say to you that you might be better off having some blessed arrows amongst your cold iron arrows so that you might kill the demons easier and so that you might save more of your kind, you *might* think that was a good idea. You *could* choose to see it as friendly advice...something more successful than allowing those like Ina to die. Or...you could think that I'm mocking your efforts. The choice is yours. But blessed arrows might keep more of you alive and kill more of those demons. Think upon it no matter what happens between us and the Council. Think that your Council hasn't even seen to given you the right tools for the job, nor explain what might work better."
Kaylayne, having said her peace, is content to let her words stand.
She follows the rest into the Council and is content to let Lief speak first. She makes a note to follow his lead no matter how strange or far afield it might go.
Armistril shakes his head, seeing that they’re just talking past each other. He lets Kaylayne have the last word. He simply nods supportively to the group, and exits.
Ina moves to one of the central spiral staircases, and climbs slowly to the fifth floor. You pass a few rooms, including a guard post where a pair of elven guards snap to attention, before reaching the floor and stepping out into a chapel.
This small but exquisitely furnished chapel contains several carved wooden benches lining the northern wall, facing a small altar of polished white wood in the center of the room. A glimmering gold and onyx statuette of a beautiful elven woman stands on the west side of the altar atop a short silver stand. To the east, an empty silver stand sits - the statue it may have once supported is nowhere to be seen.
Standing at the altar is a tall elven woman of some power, clearly the Perelir you seek. She is working on a wand, crafting some magic or other into it’s slender form.* Ina enters first and bows low, ”My lady Perelir, I come with two purposes this day. Armistril sent me for healing, for I’ve been recently revived from death, but still have some of its cloying effects, and to introduce you to these fine folk who have been, I believe, sent by the Queen to discuss matters here.”
Perelir wraps her flail around the back of her neck as she turns to face you (image). She is a beauty, with flowing red hair, deep green eyes, and a preference to wear a diaphanous robe that seems to be made partially of stars and shadows. ”Welcome honored ambassadors.” she says in a sultry voice that speaks out to each of you in many suggestive ways. You’d swear a spell had just been cast enthralling you, but none was evident. Yet you are immediately drawn to this woman in various unseemly ways. You’re able to shake it off, but the memory lingers, pleasant and peaceful in your mind…
She strides to Ina, who also approaches and kneels. Perelir casts Restoration and touches her on the shoulder, ”That should help a little, but it’ll be another week before I can clear the rest.” she looks up at the group, ”Which of these raised you?” Ina points to Kaylayne, and with a gesture from Perelir, leaves the room, stepping through a nearby door into another chamber.
”Now,” Perelir says matter-of-factly, ”What does the Queen want with her Winter Council. Why have you come?” She smiles warmly and motions for the party to sit in the second pew, while she sits, facing backward, in the first row.
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"What does the Queen want with her Winter Council. Why have you come?"
Lief takes in the elf's beauty with an abstract appreciation of symmetry, letting his eyes study her facial features for signs of flaw, and finds none. A brief distraction, then onto the matter at hand. He points to each 'ambassador' at hand, introducing them succinctly.
"This is Allarnon and his Bear, Tarkir, Ederin, Dimitrio, and Kaylayne. I'm Lief. We are here to discuss Allevrah. She moves against the elven nation, even now. We know her as Allevrah Azrinae, you must know her as the general who fled, so says Armistril. Sometime between your window and ours, she must have gone from elf to drow. How, I have no feasible theory. That doesn't matter. What matters to us is that the Winter Council sought to silence us, and our perspective of the drow window we've witnessed. And by 'silence', I mean 'kill'. First and foremost, I would know if you ordered our death, or know who did. Second, and more importantly, will you help us to gather the rest of the Winter Council, so we may find peace together, and unify our cause against Allevrah?"