Erdwin sees the expression on Borrum's face.
I take it you didn't think that was the right call locking it away?
The feat is plenty full with songs and dance.. there is even a song composed by the high singer about your fights in old Rhest
after the feast you are gathered to a large table as everyone leave for the night.
The Speaker comes to sit, her large crocodile in tow lies down quietly near by
as you pull up chairs and help your self to more drinks the high singer and the cleric join you all.
the High Singer I hope you enjoyed the evening. she says as the same guards comes around and drops the small chest in the center of the table
the Speaker's face doesn't move at all but you can imagine that she is containing some emotions
The high singer Ilian and i have been doing research since our last meeting she pause and looks at him while he nods
We could detect the overwhelming evil aura and each time its strenght broke our concentration she pause again
after a few divination and research we think that is is a magical receptacle for some sort of life energy she pause again
and it is pure evil.
she takes a death breath
the lion's marking made me think about an old legend:
These tales speak of a once-proud dr uid who dwelt in the verdant
plains south of Rhest and led several tribes of nomads. These
nomads were said to have buit a massive lion of stone in
honor of this great druid, who taught them the ways of the
lion and how to live at peace with these proud creatures. Yet
when dark times fell on Rhest, their shadow also fell upon
the lions' plains.
It began when nobles visiting from Rhest arrived in the
region. The nomads befriended but these noble nomades were betrayed
by their visitors when they hunted down and killed a lion
monarch for his pelt and claws. The nomads reacted with
violence, slaying the visiting nobles to a man. Rhest answered
in kind, and its army marched against the southern plains.
The disorganized nomads stood little chance against Rhest's
military might, and the tribes were slaughtered despite the
fact that the lions rose to defend them. The warriors of Rhesr
confronted and slew the druid between the paws of his own
massive stone shrine.
But the night after the warrior's returned to their city,doom
came to Rhesr. Ghost lion's prowled the streets, stalking and
killing anyone they came across. When the dawn came. the
entirety of Rhest's cavalry, including families , servants, and
squires, lay dead. Rhesr never recovered from this night of
terror, which marked the beginning of the decline of that
once-proud city. In the years since, the once-verdant hills
to the south have grown horrid and tangled. The Thornwaste
is all that remains.
she concluded
We believe that this item is connected to that story
Erdwin tells Casedru about the green dragon and our misadventures playing hide and seek. And the very accurate goblin rider.
I didn't know goblin's could be so at ease with dragons
Erdwin questions the speaker.
Can this item help us on our quest or should it be destroyed... better yet is there a market for suck an item?
Borrum seems interested in the story, but a look of confusion still is expressed on his face.
"Dat was ah nice story, but wut dat got ta do wit da Red Hand? Do ya no wut da necklace does? Is it cursed? Can weez have it back? Weez been carryin' it around ah couple ah days an' none ah us are passin' out or havin' no bad effects."
truth be told reply the high singer as i told you we also did the magical detection and we couldn't keep the spell up become of the overwhelming aura she lowers her voice The Speaker has a very strong connection to the land and its natural energies. and this thing is all the opposite, tough i do not see a magical curse of any kind all i can tell you is that this item is intensely evil by itself and probably very old. Now why do the Red hand have it that if indeed THE question. As i told you inside there is some one 's life energy. she pause
you should probably take it with you and go seek answers in the Thornwast as these lion's marking are pretty much the same ones as those on that giant statue i spoke off
He spent most of the time before the feast with the adventurer's listening to their stories quite jealously. He had often wondered what it would be like not being around the tribe being out there on his own. But he had so many responsibilities here, so many people to watch over. He smiled at a few of the maiden gatherers as the feast was starting.
Afterwards he swallowed and frowned. Investigating those dead and probably plagued lands.
"Will they need a guide? I can take them, I've scouted the lands before no one living knows it better than I though i do not recall a lion statue anywhere."
He offered hoping against hope he might be chosen for the task. If not.. he knew what he was doing.. hunting goblins allied with dragons.
It's quite an interesting story about this object.
Evil is a tool, I don't mind to use if it could help us fight the Red Hand. Thanks for sharing this story with us High Singer.
I agree that's a good idea to explore more about it and Thornwast seems a good place to start to have answers.
Galdamor turns to Miha
What do you think dear ?
having escaped narrow death i think that i might just have enough adventure for the moment she replied smiling
Well we could go attempt to live the legend. Find the lion or the truth of the lore that object we have came from.
I hope there's something of value there. So far, I've seen no treasure. Why do I bother with the danger? ....
In this case my dear Miha, we can let you stay with the elves for a time while we try to find something there.
I hope you will still be with us to fight against the Red Hand. Your help is much appreciated as well as your presence with us.
Says Galdamor before turning to the elves.
You are right Erdwin, it's time to live the legend. Let's find the Lion and hope to find a tool or an ally against the Red Hand Army.
But before, lets buy some tools to let us survive the inevitable fights waithing for us.
Galdamor begins to gather his ressources to buy some help from the elves.
June 27th
The party is ready to depart in the early morning.
Casedru tell them that it is a 150 miles journey to get to the area in the Thornwaste that should be searched.
while marching the party could achieve 20 miles a day (more by horse)
the Thornwaste is home to all manner of nefarious and dangerous creatures, from packs of lions and dire lions to more fantastic creatures such
as chimeras and bulettes.
The terrain of the Thornwaste is dangerous as well.A maze of broken hills,briar-choked ravines, and thistle-clogged fissures, this is a treacherous landscape.
Creatures forced to slog through the Thcmwaste on foot find the prospect grueling at best. overland movement rates are reduced by half, as if traversing trackless forest (PH 164) even on horseback. Worse, the countless thistles and thorns have a way of working themselves inro armor and clothing. Once an houra creature or mount that spends any amount of time moving through the waste on foot must make a DC 15 Reflex save to avoid taking 1 point of damage from these thorns. Those who take damage
from the thorn's have their movement speeds reduced by half as if they had been damaged by caltrops (PH 116). Creatures with a narura larmor bonus ofarleasr +3, Ihe woodland stride ability, or at least 5 ranks in Survival can move through the Thornwaste without fear of taking damage from the nettles and thorns.
July 1st
The party has been the last two days in the thornewaste and progression is now very difficult...
it has been about 1h since the dusk has settled and that the party made camp for the night
when
Everyone is surprise as 3 large ghostly undead lion show in your line of vision and the light of the hidden camp fire
Surprise round
All three Creature howl in anger and rage
Round 1
Erwen, Cassedru go !!
For a split second he saw the bounding ghost lions and he lost it. He had not been prepared for ghosts... though in hindsight he shoudl have been. He fled as fast as his feet would carry him to the right of the camp,
Erdwin sees the ghosts and just can't stop shaking.
Round 1
All three ghost lion rush forth
vs Erdwin
vs Erdwin
vs Casedru
vs Galdamor
All Heroes go !!
Galdamor resisted to the howl of the creatures but his heavy armor is nothing against the ghostly touch of it.
Death is nothing for Hextor ! OBEY ME creatures of undeath !
As a mighty wave of negative energy is channeled through Galdamor several lion begin to shake.
Borrum's spirit is quite shaken by the howl of the ghost and like most of his elven comrades he begins to flee !
Erdwin moves away from the ghost that attacked him unable to stop his racing heart and thinking about the ghost's cold touch invading is flesh.
The ghostly lions as they were going to further pounce of the remaining Heroes stop dead in their Tracks as the Divine Power flowing from the holy symbol wash over them
The strength and the enormousness power is enough to make all 3 ghost turn tail and run
July 3rd Morning
As the sun is about to rise the 3 Lion ghost return to attack the party and once gain they have to flee under the Divine power that Galdamor is able to channel
As the dust settle from the combat it seems after a few minutes that borrum after feeling in terror does not return
after a few minutes Galdamore and Erwin go look for him as Erdwin pack up the camp
the tracks are easy to follow and then after a minut of running the stop..
Erdwin looks at the tracks mark and they all point out to the following fact: Borrum was KO and then lifted upon "something" and then there are no other tracks
Erdwin packs all of borrum's magical equipment since he was asleep when the ghost lion attacked and return them..
As the party leave camp two stranger approch...
upon visual inspection Galamdor recognize someone that he fought alongside in a past life
Heroneus Cowardice ! They've took Borrum !
Says frustrated and pained Galdamor.
But his mood straighten when he sees a familiar face from the two silhouette coming toward him.
May Kord favor you and Hextor's blessing guide your hand Ayla. Pleasure to see you again.
Who's your comrade ?
He says welcoming the woman.
One of the two strangers is Ayla a woman of 6 foot 6, and has a bit of an intimidating presence.
And she recognizes Galamdor.
"Ah, Galamdor, I've not seen you in a long while.
Oh this guy, he is Matthius."
Erdwin sees the approaching figures and noticing Galdamor's familiarity says to the strangers.
Hi I'm Erdwin. Am I correct in assuming you are not here by coincidence? Or did you just happen upon an old friend?
"It is no coincidence, as Myself and Matthius were tasked in helping you."
Tasked by whom?
I believe you know her, Captain Sorana.
I don't know them but if Galdamor does I suppose your story will check out.
Matthius nods as Ayla introduces him to the group.
"You seemed distressed. Can you tell us what made you so?"
Well for starters, we were attacked by ghost lions yesterday and this morning our friend looks like he's be dragged off. I'd say being on edge is appropriate.
"That sounds like a rough day and morning."
"Are we going to chase after the one whoever took your friend?"
I think the we need to weigh out whether we think ghosts would bother to keep someone alive... before we decide to go after poor Borrum.
"Though given the captain's words we are running out of time with the Red Hand."