AS the meeting begins, Halgra of the Blackened Blades, calls the proceeding to order. There is a moment of silence for those that fell in the last raid, including Rodrik Grath, who it appears, was murdered, and did not commit suicide. Halgra asks your team to tell what you have learned about Skreed Gorewillow and his plot, and why Rodrik was killed.
Azen, after a good night's rest and a bath, feels up to the challenge of a council meeting. When her mother asks them about Skreed, she starts explaining, looking at the other members to add details.
Well, the reason that Rodrik was killed is that he happened across Skreed's scheme out at the ruins . It looks like they planned the attack on the town. Rodrik was investigating. We found his journal, and also released a prisoner that was being held out at the ruins.
We were hoping that Skreed was the end of it, but we now know that Skreed was working with the giants, because we found this note.
Azen explains the content of the note.
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2nd—burst of radiance, spiritual weapon
1st—bless, divine favour, shield of faith, shield of faith
0—grasp, light, stabilize, virtue
Nakoma nods at Zeke for the prayers. "Thank you."
At the meeting she stands and gives her report, as if this were any other mission briefing.
"Skreed Gorewillow was working at the behest of the Twisted Hearts. They have been working to bring Trunau down. They planned the attack and used half-orcs as sleeper agents to move about the town unnoticed. Even convinced some of our own to join them. The battle was supposed to destroy us. Trunau would belong to the orc invaders. But we resisted. Trunau did not fall. Though we lost many."
"I do not know if a major motivator behind the attack was territory. Whatever the case, Skreed was given a second task by his mistress, Chieftain Greseldek of the Twisted Hearts: find and enter the giant tomb beneath Trunau and collect a hammer and rock." She gestures at the two objects. "This rock and another that Grenseldek already has can be used to discern the location of 'the Giantkiller's tomb.' What this tomb is, where it is it, and why they want access to it, I do not know."
"Rodrik stumbled onto Skreed and his agents and was killed for it when he investigated. They tried to do the same to us. ...Rodrik died a hero. Every last citizen that worked to defend our town last night is a hero. And Trunau will need more. We have won the battle. We have soldiered on. But this is not over. Grenseldek did not get the hammer or the rock. We did. And if the Twisted Hearts are willing to last waste to Trunau for them -- to wage wage for these two trinkets -- they are not done with us. Trunau is not safe while Grenseldek draws breath."
This is the story you tell, as you have been able to piece together via investigation and supposition.
As noted in her letter, Skreed was indeed planted in Trunau by the giantess Greseldnek. His primary mission was recovery of the hammer, Agrimmosh and the rock, the geode you found in the tomb. To that end, Skreed co-opted a number of half-orc residents of Trunau and met with them regularly at the Plague House, just outside the walls. By conicidence Rodrik was there waitng for a tryst with his illicit love, Brinya, when he stumbled on Gorewillow. Skreed knew the Patrol Leader could undo his mission, so he killed him (after going to the Ramblehouse in disguise) and made it look like a suicide. He set wolves and assassins from Freedom Town loose on the PC's when they started investigating.
Skreed and his half-orc sympathizers painted white crosses on the likely places for the giant's tomb but it took the actual raid and the power of the cave giant, Crusher, to actually open the long-hidden tomb.
Inside the hole in Hopespring Hill also known as Bloodmarch Hill, the group was surprised to find the tomb of a long-dead giant chieftain named Uskaroth. In the horde, is the hammer Skreed searched for along with the rock, which seems to be a kind of map to the "Giantkiller's tomb".
Halgra of the Blackened Blades scoffs, "You think native Trunauan collaborated with this Skreed Goreillow and and mean our village harm?" the idea is so foreign to the village chief she has a hard time believing in the sabotage from within.
"I wouldn't put anything past the green-skinned bastards!" shouts Jargrin, Kurst and Rodrik Grath's father. "I say we take the lot of them out, lock 'em in the Plague House, and burn the damn thing down again!"
It is apparent that human-half orc relations in Trunau will take some rebuilding as well.
Tyari, the high priestess of Iomedae, says, "The Plague House! I agree we must burn that place of trouble! Though I don't think we should imprison our fellow townsfolk inside first. But it needs to go, and go without any more loss of life."
It is generally agreed that the Plague House should be destroyed once and for all. Then Agrit speaks: "I have some history to share, if you would learn it." she says with a hand on the arm of her wife, Sara Morninghawk. "It bears directly on recent events, and may inform what we should do next." She picks up the stone hammer, which instantly re-sizes to fit her, and begins.
"A long time ago, before Trunau was founded, a hill giant named Uskaroth formed an alliance with the local orcs of Belkzen. They named themselves the Twisted Hearts, after the Twisted Nail orc tribe and the Heart Eater giant clan. The Twisted Hearts were a force to be reckoned with and won victory after victory against the forces of Lastwall, expanding the borders of Belkzen. Uskaroth wielded a stone hammer named Agrimmosh, the Hammer of Unmaking which he claimed was the hammer of the giant god Minderhal himself. When Uskaroth was finally felled by the Knight of Ozen, he was entombed, unknown to any of us, right here under Bloodmarch Hill. This," she indicates the stone hammer lying on the table, "is apparently Agrimmosh, the weapon all the trouble with Skreed was about. I can't say if it was ever a god's weapon, but I know it is the most powerful magic object I have ever seen. I know some of its properties, but not nearly all of them."
"What does this history have to do with us?" cries Jagrin Grath again, clearly not putting the pieces together yet.
"First, says Agrit with a patience holding up a hand to stifle further comment. "First, we must seal up the tomb of Uskaroth once again. Who knows what other dangers it holds, or what other treasure seekers will arrive to search for its hoard and artifacts. Second, it is clear that this Grenseldek styles herself a second coming of Uskaroth. She has sent forces to retrieve the weapon once, and nearly succeeded, I believe she will continue to try to obtain it. We must prepare for continued onslaught." She takes her seat again, and a pensive silence fills the council chamber, as all ponder the damage done and the lives lost in the first assault.
Grauk's heart sinks at the disparaging words around treasure seekers before he considers an idea. "We've already delved into the tomb once to face invaders and giant skeletons. Let us delve once more, if there are any obvious threats that we come across we will deal with them if able... and at worst identify them." There could be a lot more treasure and artifacts down there!
His mind finally drifts to some other matters. "Making a pyre of half orcs will only galvanise others of their kind against you. Those who stand at a cross road will have only one way to go if they see you burning the bridge that leads to other options." That bit came out a bit ham fisted... ah well bunch of stuck up racists aren't worth the trouble anyway. He distracted himself from thinking about the plague house specifically...
After Nakoma's speech Zeke nods. "I agree with Nakoma. Trunau is not safe while Grenseldek searches for these items."
Zeke coughs aloud at Jargrin's blatant racism. "Uh... Excuse me, Captain, but I don't believe all of Trunau's half-orc citizens were a part of the conspiracy. Many are innocent and honourable Trunauans."
He listens to the rest of the proceedings, nodding along with Agrit.
"I will join Grauk in ensuring the cavern is cleared."
---
Nakoma curls up her lip and shakes her head at the suggestion of harming the half-orcs of Trunau. She looks positively disgusted.
When the conversation turns to the future Nakoma nods. "I'll help finish clearing out the tomb. We need to ensure it's safe before we seal it."
Azen nods along with Nakoma and indicates that she will go as well.
Grauk nods trying to contain his enthusiasm and starts preparing excuses. But we can sell it and use the funds to be better equipped to deal with the twisted hearts...
Halgra of the Blackened Blades listens to the history and the debate and then speaks. "We will not allow these attacks to break apart the spirit of our village. A Trunauan is a Trunauan until proven otherwise, regardless of the color of their skin, or their heritage. We all have reasons to hate the orcs that assault us, but that does not make all of their half-offspring guilty by association." She glowers at Jagrin Grath who hands his head avoiding confrontation with her.
To the group she says, "Your intentions for entering the tomb of this hill giant king are noble, but there are more pressing matters. As Agrit says, we are not safe while this Grenseldek plots against us. I want you to go to their lair, at Redlake Fort, along the River Esk, and deal with her. We can plug up the tomb of Uskaroth or the militia can explore what remains underneath. The town will pay you for taking the risk, if you won't do it for our own good. I can offer 1500gp of town funds to persuade you." She raises an eyebrow, seeing if the money is the motivation or the protection of Truanu.
"But to go into that hornet's nest equipped as you are, is akin to suicide. I have an idea about that as well." She points out a venerable elf who sits in the back of the chamber. You recognizeGo him from his perch above the Hopespring. "This is my old ally, Silvermane." continues Halgra. "He cannot speak, but we communicate using sign symbols." There is a bit of back and forth in the sign language, and Halgra says, "Silvermane says there is a cache of weapons hidden by the Druidic Council of Thorns, of which he was once a member. It is in the Vault of Thorns, a demi-plane whose entrance portal is in the Ghostlight Marsh, a swamp to the northeast at the confluence of the Kestrel and the Esk Rivers."
It turns out that Silvermane has no knowledge of what specifically is in the Vault of Thorns, but if you look for a circle of thorns carved into the bank of the River Esk, that should put you on the right track. At this point, the elderly elf produces an ancient, leaf-embossed brass lantern called a ghostlight lantern. He explains through Halgra that if you put a dead will-o-wisp inside, the lamp will produce a beacon that points to the circle of standing stones and will help open the portal.
"Traveling overland to Redlake Fort or to the Ghostlight March is sure to get you killed or captured by orc patrols. The safest and fastest mode of transport is by river. A keelboat captain who plies the waters of Belkzen happens to be anchored just north of Trunau on the Kestrel. His name is Raag Bloodtusk and he has agreed to transport you up river, if you help sail and defend his craft on the journey. Will you take the trip, find the Vault of Thorns, and help defeat the giant chieftain before she strikes our village again?"
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Azen thinks about standing up to her mother, but in front of so many people she just can't do it. Instead, she tries to persuade her to change her mind just a little.
We will of course do as you ask, but there wasn't much left down there. It would be half a day's work, at most, to finish clearing out the tomb. Please, allow us to finish what we started. We just had a lot to carry and needed some sleep. After that, we'll do as you ask.
If that doesn't work, she adds in a guilt-trip option:
Tell you what, we could really use that money, but we'll forego it if you just let us make some decisions on our own. If not, you're treating us like mercenaries, and we *should* demand payment.
After resolving that issue either way, she asks about the will-o-the-wisp.
So, to use this lantern, we have to kill one? Aren't they supposed to be freakishly dangerous?
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"With respect, there may be further clues in the tomb that are relevant to our mission. If we leave before checking it out we may miss out on important intel. We need every advantage we can seize against Grenseldek. I humbly request you reconsider and allow us to finish exploring the tomb."
Nakoma nods to Silvermane. "Thank you." She accepts the lantern, apparently unconcerned about the money. "I will seek out the Vault of Thorns and bring destruction upon Grenseldek and the Twisted Hearts. Does Raag Bloodtusk require any payment? Or has he already been compensated? And this marsh... What can you tell us of this place?"
Acacius hears out the outbursts at the revelations about traitors in Trunau with a face like stone.
"Not all half-orcs were foolish enough to think the invaders would treat them well. And humans turned also. I am all for hunting down traitors but I will *not* tolerate the innocent purged in a witch hunt."
****
"I am also inclined to finish what we started in that tomb. We may have missed something crucial, or something useful that was just out of sight."
"The Vault of Thorns sounds most helpful. My thanks, Silvermane. We will wield what we find there and drive it into Grenseldek's Twisted Heart."
"It is my honour to serve Trunau in the name of Arqueros," Zeke says as he nods to Halgra. He fiddles with the holy symbol at his wrist, clearly praying.
Grauk silently cursed Azen as she talked them out of getting payment. "A quick poke around make sure we didn't miss anything below... and that gold might be of great aid to us. It's going to be quite dangerous for us, who knows what we'll end up needing." Why would he only try to get one thing when he could have both sources of wealth?
Halgra turns her withering gaze on her own child, Azen. "Time is of the essence child," she says gravely, emphasizing the last word especially. "The town needs you on this mission, not digging in the dirt."
When Azen persists, Halgra throws up her hands in resignation. "Guess I shouldn't have spared the rod," she says crossly, but you can see she has given in and won't withhold the payment. "You may be right," she says quietly. "There could be something down there still, but I doubt it."
Unless there are more questions, the council breaks up with the idea that your group will leave at first light day after tomorrow to rendezvous with Captain Bloodtusk at the Kestrel landing just north of the village.
For now, you are free to go and do what you will.
After the council meeting Zeke says to his companions, "I'm going to prepare myself for the journey." Zeke pauses. "Any suggestions on how to prepare for a visit to a demiplane?"
"Let us meet at the entrance to the tomb in... an hour?"
Grauk considers Zeke's question... surprisingly his dreams of wealth in the depths of the tomb seemed to focus his mind rather than distract him. "An hour should be fine."
Sorting through the loot, Azen says
I think we should keep all of these things that might help us attack in special circumstances... like the acid, the alchemist's fire, the thunderstones... in case we run into a swarm or something, you know?
"An hour will be fine and we should indeed keep items useful for offense. Though I would appreciate assistance in changing out of my current armour and donning that half-plate."
He cannot help but wistfully think back to when Zan assisted him, in what feels like a lifetime ago.
Azen assists Acacius with his armor.
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"My thanks, Azen. I imagine this armour's mettle - and metal - shall be tested soon."
Azen grins.
Good one, Acacius.
After spending time apart, the heroes come together again in about an hour outside the rent in the side of Bloodmarch Hill. There are still guards posted at the entrance, and the town has been gathering rock and mortar to fill in the opening, but for now, the tomb of Uskaroth, king of the hill giants once upon a time, is still open.
Knowing that it will be dark inside, you affix light sources, ready weapons, and slowly clamber inside. Since you have already been straight from the entry room, this time you try the passage to the right. The passage soon turns into a 10' wide arched bridge that spans a pool of dank water far below.
After crossing the bridge, teh tunnel widens into a cavern where the eastern end is filled with tangles of thick white webbing. At the north end of the room, a pair of hawk-sized avians, which look much like six-legged storks, rest along the rock wall. Their feathers are unkempt and greasy, and their beaks are razor-sharp. The birds posture aggressively, looking for a meal.
Web-Filled Cavern - Round 1
19 Azen
10 Red Gryph
9 Blue Gryph
7 Grauk
6 Acacius
5 Nakoma
4 Zeke
Acacius is at the front, polearm in hand and warhammer at his side. His aim is to receive a charge, then switch to the hammer at close quarters.
Having no understanding of these strange birds, he prepares to fight.
"Ugh gryphs... they're wretched creatures but their beaks are sharp and they are good at pinning their prey with them... they like to lay their eggs in their targets whether they're still alive or not."
Azen considers setting the web on fire, but the birds look to be the more immediate threat, so she moves to get a clear shot and shoots at Red.
Zeke heads into the tomb with light cast on his shield. His shield is strapped on and ready, and his morningstar is in hand.
Web-Filled Cavern - Round 1 - continued
Azen moves to the west to get a clear shot, then lets fly at Red Gryph, scoring an immediate hit, that hurts the bird badly.
The injured gryph takes flight right at Azen, drilling the bard with its long, sharp beak, woundign her shoulder.
Blue Gryph launches itself at Zeke, catching him flat-footed. The beak hits the cleric, but cannot penetrate his heavy armor.
Acacius steps out, spins, and drives his polearm at the vile, unkempt bird.
Nakoma hurries over to help Azen with the red gryph, then lunges at it with her starknife.
Zeke swings his morningstar at the strange bird.
Web-Filled Cavern - Round 1 - continued
Acacius attacks the six-legged bird with his guisarme, swinging the pole-arm in a large arc in front of him. He hits the Blue Gryph, hurting it very badly in a squawk of feathers and blood.
Nakoma hurries over and aids Azen, plunging her starknife into the attacking bird, killing it.
Zeke swings his morningstar at the other gryph, but cannot hit or hurt it.
Terrified of getting infected or bitten by the gryphs Grauk gets a little space and casts mage armour.
Web-Filled Cavern - Round 1 - concluded
Grauk takes a moment to cast another warding spell on himself, not particularly interested in becoming a walking egg incubtor.
End of Round 1
Web-Filled Cavern - Round 2
19 Azen
9 Blue Gryph (15hp dmg)
7 Grauk
6 Acacius
5 Nakoma
4 Zeke
Azen turns around and shoots at blue.
Unfortunately blowing her shot.
Web-Filled Cavern - Round 2 - continued
Azen fires at the remaining gryph, but her shot flies wide of the mark.
Unnoticed from the ceiling above, a bevy of cat-sized spiders drop down and attack the party, who were previously unaware of their presence. Purple Spider lands right near Nakoma and bites at her but misses badly.
Orange Spider lobs a ball of sticky webbing at Zeke, trying to pin down the armored prey.
Green Spider lands behind Acacius and tries to bite the mighty warrior, but his armor fends off the venomous mandibles.
Yellow Spider tries the same with Azen, but again cannot puncture her protective layer.
Finally, Blue Gryph, who is badly hurt, tries to engage Zeke with bite and claw. The bite misses, but the claw hits and then tries to grab the cleric. The scratchy claws just do slip off his armor, and while Zeke takes a nasty scar, he does not end up in the grip of the egg-laying gryph.
Grauk hurls some lava at... the wall? It's hard to tell who was aiming for truth be told.
Nakoma spins her starkinfe at the yellow spider harassing Azen.
Surprised by the spiders, Acacius still focuses on hacking down the deadly bird in front of him.
Trapped without a safe shot, Azen drops her bow and draws her Cold Iron Morningstar, swinging at the yellow spider.
Zeke swings his morningstar at the gryph beside him!
Web-Filled Cavern - Round 2 - concluded
As the spiders drop and attack, Grauk loses his nerve just bit and his quickly hurled bit of lava flies far wide of any contact with anything.
Even though the spiders are near, Acacius remains focused on the gryph, and finds the right opening to skewer the many-legged bird, killing it.
Nakoma turns on the spider nearest her and attacks with her starknife, unfortunately the spider is quick and her stab misses.
Zeke turns away from the now-dead gryph and steps forward, attacking the nearest arachnid instead. His morningstar crunches into the orange spider, hurting it but not very badly.
End of Round 2
Web-Filled Cavern - Round 3
19 Azen
18 Purple Spider
11 Orange Spider (4hp dmg)
9 Green Spider
8 Yellow Spider
7 Grauk
6 Acacius
5 Nakoma
4 Zeke
Azen is hemmed in by spiders, so she drops her blow and lashes out with her iron morningstar, but the blow is shunted aside by the thick carapace of the spider.
Purple Spider scuttles backwards from Nakoma and launches a ball of webbing trying to bind the priestess of Desna. But somehow, even at close range, the webbing flies wide.
Orange Spider attacks Zeke but still cannot penetrate his heavy armor.
Green Spider slides over and gets behind Azen, attacking her flank. This time the sneaky spider gets a bite on Azen for little damage, but poison is injected into her system, that slowly saps her strength.
Yellow Spider also attacks the bard, teaming up with Green. The duo is effective, as Yellow also hits, the poison already swirling in Azen's bloodstream.
Azen, hurt and feeling a little woozy, swings again at yellow.
Zeke swings his Morningstar at the orange spider!