Xerexis steps forward and asks, "Does the glass grimoire carried by Myhm contain the knowledge needed to find the Ark?"
Quickly, he poses another question, "Can Dovan access it?"
"Can the wardstones be repaired to seal the breech between worlds?"
"Did the Fellnight Prince have anything to do with the gifts or curses we received from the fey?"
"Can the wardstones be repaired to seal the breech between worlds?"
"Did the Fellnight Prince have anything to do with the gifts or curses we received from the fey?"
Teena nodded. Through Troxell and Xerexis's clever questioning she knew what she needed. Mhym's brother was nearby and the Fellnight Prince had something to do with her memory being lost! Let's go find this Prince now!
""Is Teena the assassin that tried to kill Talteslos?""
The Fire Tender blinks and looks sharply at Shane. It seems about to ask a question, but presses his lips together firmly and remains silent.
Troxell frowns, tired of all the hidden agendas that every person he meets appears to possess. The forests were supposed to be an escape from the politics and petty affairs of people, yet this place seem to attract such individuals like flies to honey.
With all that in mind he asks, "Is Fire Tender allied in any way with the Fellnight Prince?"
"Did someone pose as Teena and try to assassinate Talteslos?"
"Is Fire Tender allied in any way with the Fellnight Prince?"
With a wave of his hand the Fire Tender ends the commune. He then gives Troxell an approving smile. "That was a wise question. In the Feralwood things are rarely as they seem. It is one reason that I hide my refuge and avoid strangers."
"I appreciate your understanding in this matter, for I meant no true offense. Everyone I've met since forming this adventuring band has had some secret ulterior motive, so I find myself suspicious of everyone now."
He then looks to the bard, "Shane, I believe you have some explaining to do. I think I speak for everyone when I ask that you don't try to filibuster with your flowery words. Please tell us clearly and concisely what your purpose is for being here and everything you know about Teena's predicament, especially as it relates to the assassination attempt of the Lord of Kragis'Aer."
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"Well as I am from Kragis'Aer and have eluded to in the past I remember Teena from there although I was not sure of it when I first met with you all. As far as what I know about her "predicament". I know that the Six Winds are in a huff and think Teena did it and by IT I mean tried to kill his lordship but that is probably known to all citizens of the great city."
Shanee turns on Troxell. "You can not believe to tell me that you thought that someone from the city would not realize that she was the one if you knew she was being accused."
Shanee shrugs. "At least now someone can in good faith tell those in charge in Kragis'Are that they have it on very good faith that she did not do it."
Teena stood quietly with her mouth open, assuming Shanee's words were not true. But with her memory loss she could not be sure.
[b\"Tell me more about these rumors. As you no doubt know, as the result of some trading for necessities, I know longer remember anything about myself before a few weeks ago. It seems as if someone is trying to frame me for some reason. And I can't remember if there is anyone I'd point a finger at right now."[/b]
"And what's your real purpose for being in this area, Shane? You aren't after Teena, are you? What connections are there between Teena and the would-be assassin, exactly?"
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"All I knew for sure before today is that at least 1 of the Six Winds thought it was you that tried to kill Talteslos and was looking for you. As of now I know that Teena is not the assassin,if you believe and I do that the power that answered our questions is true and honest, and I can try and pass on that information to those I know in Kragis'Are if the need arises."
Shanee looks around at the group.
"I may not be able to protect many with skills at arms or cast powerful magics like some but I DO know my way around convincing people of the truth and that is why I believe my journey has put me here with you."
"Who sent you to investigate me then?". With a name, that might give Teena some sort of clue as to the circumstances back home.
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"None SENT me to investigate you. I left Kragis'Aer for personal reasons of my own. Now since running into your little group though I think finding out who this assassin is has become a priority."
Sighing Shanee address Firetender
"Firetender do you think you could help me get a message to someone in Kragis'Aer? I must at least plant the seed that they should be looking for someone else. If they focus on just Teena that leaves the real assassin to try again."
"I don't think that's a good idea, you'll only be leading those who want to kill or capture Teena straight to her. Unless you know specifically of a direct threat at this moment, we should merely stay wary of the possibility while dealing with our direct problem. If we don't repair the barrier, we won't be given the luxury of worrying about threats from Kragis'Aer."
The Fire Tender watches the discussion with an expression that changes from helpful nodding, to thoughtful consideration, to a simple shrug.
"I am capable of sending your message, but that can be done later if you wish. Troxell is correct that there is another, more pressing, problem. We have discovered the location of the Wardstones, and we know a little more about the forces behind this. The stakes are large enough that I must intervene, but there is much to do and I cannot be everywhere at once. If I might make a suggestion... if you are willing to stay the course and set things right here, then I think you should go after those Wardstones."
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"I have no problem with that. I think that is the most pressing problem also, but at some point we are going to have to get Teena cleared or some things might get a little dicey."
"There is 1 thing i would like to know first though. What exactly did you trade your memories for and did anyone else make 1 of these trades?"
Teena produces two wands. "A wand that grants us flight, and a wand that grants our warriors more power in battle. That was one bargain I made. For these items to get away from the awful Cold Riders, I sacrificed two things. First, was one of my own eyes," she demonstrates, as she shows the bard the clear blue stone that was her current replacement for her original eye. "I still haven't figured out if the blue gem has any real use or not. The second sacrifice was my memories up until the time of the transactions. That's why I don't know what I don't know, so to speak. I can live with the new eye, but I have to get my memories back, especially now, to prove that I am not guilty of any assassination attempts."
Myhm scratches his head, searching its content for a few moments to answer Shanee's question. ::You don't remember:: was all that came back. He brushes aside the furry bearskin cloak draped across his chest and lamely points at what he got in return for whatever he traded off. A small auspicious looking mark, distinct like a tattoo but depressed like a branding, in the shape of a branched tree positioned below where his heart beats under the skin. Hymn simply shrugs with embarrassment having no idea of what, why and how. As to the plans of the group, "Let's go find mean witch, smash her head in. Or find magic rock first, then smash her head with it. Then go to My Scar after."
"Yes, let's make our way to the Wardstones and correct this unbalance. Fire Tender, what can you tell us about the route between here and the stones, and how to properly align them?"
"The Wardstones are hidden in the upper drop of Dead Man's Falls. Head south from here until you come to a creek, and follow that southeast to the falls. I don't know of many dangers along the way, but I would steer clear of heavy mists, as they are areas where the Fellnight Realm is thin, and likely places where the armies are gathering. I don't know yet how to restore the Wardstones. That is one thing I must research while you gather them."
"Yes, it is still early in the day, we should cover as much ground as possible." Troxell agrees, then looks to Fire Tender, "Will we need to fix the Wardstones at their location or will we need to bring them back to you?"
"I believe the Wardstones will need to be returned and aligned within the Faengard, which stands between this realm and the First World, somewhere in the thickest of the mists. I will need to converse with some residents of the Feralwood to learn more, and I could use someone with a silver tongue to help convince them..." The Fire Tender casts a meaningful look at Shane. "I think you should come with me."
Following the directions given, the group heads back into the Feralwood. The unnatural mists drift along everywhere, but by avoiding the thicker clouds, the group makes its way without incident to the creek described by the Fire Tender. The flowing water grows wider and faster the farther upstream you go. Eventually, the banks level off into a small pool filled with sharp boulders at the base of a fifty-foot waterfall.
As the group reaches its destination, the druid takes a moment to scrutinize his surroundings. "I can scout ahead in wild form, but I suspect it will be safer for us all if we remain in a close group."
"That sounds fine to me, Troxell. Don't scout ahead too far, as there's no telling what we will find in this awful land. We are quite thin in number as is. If we were ambushed again, it might get ugly. Oh, and can one of you use a wand on me...I've still got a couple bruises from the last scrap."
Assuming his elemental form of air once more, Troxell whirls off over the area. Travelling over the path of boulders that leads to the upper pool, he notices a thick moss growing over the area. While not dangerous in itself, it might create problems for those ascending on foot.
In the upper pool he discovers a thick fog billowing out from the base of the waterfall. For a few moments it obscures all sight, but then the effect ceases and the fog slowly disperses. As it does, he notices two distinct whirlpools within the waters, and recognizes both as large water elementals.
Still in elemental form, Troxell returns to the group and explains what he saw, "If you don't mind using up more charges from the wand of flying, Teena, we may be able to bypass the treacherous moss and destroy the elementals from the air."
"That's a plan. Let's avoid any dangers we might be able to...without knowing exactly what we face, that's the way to go." Teenna pulls out the wand and applies it to all of the group, waiting for Troxell to take the lead and guide them past the danger.
Once the group is ready, Troxell leads the flying party past the boulders and moss and towards the water elementals, attempting to stay high above the water to maintain the aerial advantage.
Teena will use two Lightning Bolts, assuming the first does damage.
One
Two
DC 20 Reflex for half.
Troxell taps into the local ley lines to augment his casting of Call Lightning, creating 8 bolts of lightning that focus on one target until it's destroyed, while any remaining bolts target the last one.
28
16
6
5
9
5
15
4
15
5
Teena and Troxell's lightning destroy one elemental and severely weaken the second. Mikmik's bow seems completely ineffective, but Xerexis's musket manages to finish it off, leaving the way to the waterfall clear.
"Let's move to the upper drop of the falls and look for the stones. I suspect there will be more guardians." Troxell suggests, as he looks around for the likely location of the wardstones and/or more guardians.
"Keep us updated if you spot anything ahead. We can still use our flight to avoid any guardians for a few more minutes."
The wardstones are eventually found in a submerged cavern at the base of the northernmost waterfall; there are 25 wardstones, each weighs 2–3 pounds and looks like a runecarved gray rock. The cavern also contains another hidden treasure that Troxell discovers with his keen eyes An ancient iron lockbox. Though locked, Mikmik is able to trick the latch and you find a small treasure within of gold, silver, and a few items of interest that Teena identifies.
The treasure:
335 gp, 812 sp, a +2 cloak of resistance, masterwork battle axe, a potion of cat’s grace, a potion of levitate, and a wand of cure moderate wounds (18 charges).
"That's an interesting little kitty of items. I'm sure they will come in handy on our journey. Now how's the best way to collect these stones? Can Mhym lug them back for us?"
"Yes, it would be best if Myhm carried them, I would think. Does everyone have a cloak of protection already? We can put the wand to good use as well, perhaps Xerexis should carry it?"
After collecting the stones and the unexpected treasure, you begin to make your way to the path back down when you notice dozens of small figures rise from the shrubs lining the rim of the ravine. With a shout, each one quadruples in size and raises a wooden dart, poised to throw.
“Well done!” the familiar voice of Tenzekil Braybittle calls out, “but the wardstones will do you no good! The first army of Queen Rhoswen has already arrived. She will claim this forest, and you can do nothing about that. Now put the stones back, lay down your weapons, and perhaps we’ll let you live!” The hum of thousands of bees punctuates his warning as a rising swarm fills the sky.