Swim:
In heroic defiance of Arvormeigh and her Fellnight allies, the heroes dive off the cliff and into the chilling water of the lower pool. Born aloft by his feather fall spell, Taecuss has a majestic view of the area bathed in the last rays of the setting sun.
As he floats gently down, he is able to observe how each of his companions plunges into the pool, only to emerge again moments later, seemingly unharmed save for a few bruises.
The unicorns stand ready at the edge of the water, and as soon as one of the heroes reaches the surface, one of the noble steeds strides forward and allows him to mount. Then, in the blink of an eye, both unicorn and rider vanishes. The unicorns bearing Meycho and Caelin both pause long enough for Falling Star and Aumgwe to swoop down and join their masters before teleporting away.
From atop the cliff, Arvormeigh's voice cries out, her voice carrying a pitch of almost hysteric desperation and rage.
"STOP THEM!! Kill them all! If you allow them to escape with the stones, you will all decorate the Hall of the Punished before the next dawn!"
Only Palombier and one other unicorn remain when Taecuss reaches the ground. From all sides, the spriggans rush , their poisoned darts splashing into the water and bouncing off the thick flanks of the unicorns, who's magic help shield them from the attacks of the wicked creatures.
"Come, elf-friend...let us join the others...the good creatures of the forest have rallied, and they will need our help to rid the woods of these murderous brutes."
As Taecuss reaches up and grasp hold of Palombier's thick mane, the world blurs....
Carried away by the magic of the unicorns, you abruptly arrive within a forest glade deep in the woods of the Verduran forest. Farie lights illuminate the clearing, dancing between the trees.
A host of woodland creatures of all sorts is gathered in the encampment - wood elves, satyrs, centaurs, sprites and numerous other fey, all clearly armed for war.
Your sudden arrival quickly draws a crowd, although it is clear that several different groups keep to themselves. After letting you all dismount, Palombier introduces you to some of the obvious leaders of the various factions.
"Friends, we have brought the Champions of Bellis to aid us in our struggle." the unicorns says in a firm, commanding voice.
A group of centaurs trot up, led by a grim-looking warrior.
"Champions, meet Oreius Dawnsprinter and the Riders of the Verduran."
Next to the centaurs, a squad of wood elves gather, their camouflaged leather armor making them hard to spot in the twilight. A willowy female watches you curiously with dark, almond shaped eyes, her slender fingers absently stroking a powerful longbow.
"Lielaera Shantru has brought this contingent of rangers from Highgrove Vale."
Fey creatures big and small gather around a handsome satyr and his stunning nymph consort.
"Maligorn and Aripha speak for the reigning Fey Court in the area."
The satyr salutes you with a sweeping bow and a few lighthearted notes from his pipes, while the nymph simply sends you a neutral smile as she runs a hand over one of the satyr's curving horns.
"And finally...a few whom I believe do not need to be introduced to you...
One of the massive oaks rumbles and you recognize Vinroot the treant. Nestled up against his roots is Fira, the surviving dryad from the grove. Next to them, Devarre stands leaning on his staff.
"So, it is official, eh? We got to war against dis Queen?"
"You are quick to presume, human. Nothing is decided. We are gathered here to find the truth behind the wild tales that have flooded the forest these past days, and how best to deal with these so-called Fellnight Fey," the centaur leader snorts.
"Wild tales!? Come to my grove and see the charred remains of my sisters trees for yourself, centaur! These monsters must be stopped at all cost." Fira calls out, her voice choked with anger and sorrow.
Caelin stared in mute wonder around the glade, doubting that such a gathering had ever taken place before. He took a deep breath and let it out in a slow, silent whistle. He gently stroked Aumgwe's feathers as the bird stamped nervously on his forearm.
"And what of the trees chopped down by the lumberjacks from Bellis? This Queen Rhoswen is fey like us - a creature of the woods. I say let us stand aside, and watch as she expends her fury on the humans. Once her rage has subsided, we can treat with her - the reasons for her imprisonment is lost in the haze of the First World. How cares about them now?" a voice calls from the gathered fey.
Angry shouts rise up from the several sides, and heated arguments break out until Vinroots booming voice cuts through the night air.
Jervaise has the grace to look more than a little uncomfortable in the face of these gathered Fey creatures, unconsciously making sure that his cold iron weapon is properly sheathed...
"When will this conclave take place? I do not hink we will be given much time..."
Devarre steps closer to the group.
"I believe we are only waiting for the last stragglers. It should not be more than a few hours. Until then, I suggest you get off your feet. Come, there is food and a hot fire nearby. I am eager to hear what you found at Dead Man's Drop, as I suspect are the leaders of the various factions," he says.
Devarre motions for you to join him as he begins to move towards an area lit by several cookfires. On the way there, he adds in a discreet tone.
"As you have probably gathered, there is far from a consensus on how to deal with this situation. Getting the different groups of the forest, including races as frivolous as the fey, and as proud and stubborn as the centaurs, to agree on anything, let alone unite as a fighting force, is no easy task. Your experiences and actions these past few may put you in a unique position. Fira has been spreading the tale of how you rescued her and Palombier, and Vinroot also speaks favorably of you - as do I, of course. I would urge you to address the conclave, once it is gathered."
Meycho's eyes are full of awe at seeing the gathered fey, but soon get a hint of worry and concern when it becomes apparent that some of the fey may not want to fight the Fellnight Queen.
To those of you who suggest waiting till the "queen" has finished off the humans, remember this: They burned down homes belonging to dryads, fey like themselves. They will not stop at eliminating the "foreign" presence of humans, and once they are done with Bellis, they will be even stronger and singly devoted to revenging their imprisonment. Because you may have forgotten the reason for her imprisonment, but she clearly hasn't.
Jervaise nods gravely.
"Between us, we have a lot of military experience, and a fair bit of experience of the depredations of this 'Queen's' forces. I still think it fair to point out ahead of time, though, that I at least will be urging for action to be taken. From what I have seen, she simply seeks to destroy, and I doubt will make much distinction between the Fey and non-Fey who get in her way..."
"I thought I sensed something from you, elf." someone says, before Devarre can answer.
Turning, you see it is Maligorn the Satyr leader, who has lingered in the shadows close to the group. He steps forward and motions to Tae's haversack.
"I think we had best take a look at what you are carrying in that magic pack of yours. Whatever it is, it carries a strong tint of First World magic."
"That may be a wise precaution. Come, there is a tent nearby we can use."
Maligorn leads you all, including Devarre, to a pavilion tent big enough to fit you all. After ushering out a few pixies engaged in some elaborate game involving wild forest apples and empty wine jugs, he draws the opening shut and sweeps a table in the center of the tent clear of knocked over wine goblets and half-eaten food.
"Well, you have a tale to tell and treasures to display - which will it be first? he says, picking up one of the goblets and filling it from a nearby cask.
Maligorn's eyes narrow at the sight of the stone. He regards it carefully for a moment, then picks it up carefully and turns it over in his hands.
This is not treasure. This answers some questions, but poses may others. You see, Queen Rhoswen's Fellnight Realm is a relatively small demi-plane which borders Golarion, the First World and the Shadow Plane. Natives of the Fellnight Realm, like Queen Rhoswen and her minions, find themselves bound by the faengard, a prison-like hedge of wardstones - wardstones like this one - anchoring them to the demiplane. They are only able to cross to other planes where such wardstones also exist. Only, they cannot touch or move these stones directly - doing so would cause them great pain, and burn them horribly. As such, their only means of escape lies in convincing outsiders to take the stones back with them, thereby giving Fellnight creatures access to their world.
He puts the stone back on the table and sends you a suspicious look.
So...how is it that you happen to be carrying these stones, just as our woods are swarming with Fellnight fey?
The unspoken accusation hangs in the air like a tangible thing.
"He speaks the truth, Maligorn. I sent these lads to the falls not a day past - and the Fellnight fey have been causing trouble for longer than that."
He turns to Tae.
"There is still the question of how the stones ended up in that cave. None of the Fellnight Queen's minions should have been able to touch them - she must have had out side help."
Caelin interrupted as a thought struck him. "That bleaching gnome from the wedding?
He eyed his apologies for the interjection and bowed slightly to Tae.
"He does seem to be pretty involved wit' dis. He was in de mob dat attacked on de hill, before de unicorns saved us."
"A bleachling gnome, you say? That would make sense - gnomes are children of the First World, after all, and more likely than most other creatures to stumble across places where the borders of the Fellnight realm would intersect with this one. And the Bleaching does strange things to the gnomes...It is possible that the Fellnight Queen or her minions somehow persuaded him to remove the stones. But that is of little consequence...the faengard must be restored! We will need to discuss this at the conclave."
Maligorn turns and exits the tent in a rush, paying you no further heed.
Devarre shakes his head at the leaving satyr.
"Discuss it at the conclave...bicker and argue, he means. The fey can't even agree amongst themselves, let alone reach a common understanding with the elves and centaurs - and all of Avistan will be awash with spriggans before the treants muster a united voice."
He looks weary, obviously tired from the events of the past few days.
"I have done what I can to reason with the leaders of the various factions, but I doubt I will be able to move them closer to agreeing on a course of action. I believe you should address the conclave and tell your story to the whole gathering, just as you told it now. You must emphasize the cruelty and ferocity of the Fellnight fey, and the danger they pose. Only if the whole conclave acts united can we hope to seal off the Fellnight Realm again. Palombier, Fira, Vinroot and myself will do what we can to support you by bearing witness to your acts of bravery, but you must convince them. Will you do this?"
"I suspect that it would be necessary to journey into the Fellnight Realm itself to repair the faengard. And such potent magic would most likely require a ritual of some sort. Maligorn and some of the other fey will know more. In any event, I doubt it will banish the Fellnight fey already here - they will have to be dealt with through force. The assembled warriors present here should be able to handle them, but if the entire army of the Fellnight Queen is allowed to escape, it will be another matter...
Devarre motions to the food and drink in the tent.
"I expect the conclave will be called in a matter of hours - until then, you are welcome to rest here. If any of you are injured, the unicorns and other healers will attend you, and if you need anything, just ask. I will come for you once the conclave is about to begin."
For the next couple of hours, you are able to enjoy the comforts of the tent and the surrounding mess area. From time to time, curious fey, along with a few elves and centaurs, drop by to inquire if you need anything, bring you food, healing or to simply stare at you, but mostly you are left to your own devices.
A few hours after nightfall, Devarre and Palombier come by to escort you to a large clearing where the conclave is to take place. A huge bon-fire has been lit at the foot of a small hill in the middle of the forest, and all around the woodland warriors are gathered.
The conclave army numbers nearly 100, including centaurs, elves, half-elves, and a few nymphs, pixies, satyrs, treants and unicorns. A number of non-combatants have also gathered to watch. Tiny childlike fey known as petals flutter around with grigs and pseudodragons, all under the stern and watchful eyes of thorns armed with bramble longswords and pixie archers.
As you make your way into the light, Palombier calls out with a loud and commanding voice.
"Children of the forest! We are gathered to discuss how to meet the threat posed by the Fellnight Queen and her minions, escaped into this world from their timeless prison. Before we begin, I would have you all listen to these brave heroes. They have faced the Fellnight warriors in battle more than any of us here, and several of us here owe them our lives. Heed their words carefully..."
Meycho stands up, clearing his voice, I am no great orator, and I will not try to persuade you through clever talk. But know this: the Fellnight hate you! Pure and simple. They will not leave you be and turn on us Outsiders alone, for they will punish you for the many years of imprisonment. They have already killed several dryads, and they will not stop there. So unite, or be destroyed.
With that he sits down again, hoping to have made at least a little impact on the assembled fey.
From the scattered mutterings and stern looks, it does not seem like Tae has much luck winning the trust of the crowd.
Goodluck steps to stand beside his friends. "My name is Goodluck K'Tango, and I serve Gozreh. I cam here to de woods to visit a frien' and see to his wedding. We were attacked without provocation by a bleachling gnome and his bees, den by thorny fae. The bleachling claimed dat he served a Queen Rhoswen and when she came all would die. We heard more about dis from a nixie, who told us dis without prompting. She attacked us, and when we subdued her, she spoke of de Queen's hate for dis land and her imprisonment. Twice now I have heard of dis Queen's hate and plans for destruction and death. I have no reason to lie to you; I gain nothing by placing my life in danger. My comrades are honorable; dey have no reason to lie. You can believe us or not; but you'd better make your plans. Rhoswen is coming and she is angry." Goodluck looks around and meets every being's eyes straight and plainly, without anger or pride. Then he nods and returns to standing beside his friends.
Diplomacy
Hey there,
Still with us? I'd really like for all players to post during the conclave, just to show that they you are all following. It is a bit of a turning point of the module.
You don't have to adress the conclave if you don't feel like it, just a couple of words to show the flag.
/GM Jace
Before Caelin and Jervaise get a chance to speak up, the leader of the wood elves calls out.
"I do not doubt the danger posed by the Fellnight Queen - only the advice of these so-called heroes. We elves of the woods are masters of ambush and skirmish - let these wicked creatures come, I say. We will not blunder blindly through the mists from one fight to the next. The Queen's forces will find themselves riddled with arrows before they spot a single one of us."
"Where were you and your precious archers when the spriggans cut down the threes of my sisters and fed them to the flames? These five heroes have done more to oppose these evil invaders than all the rest of you combined!" Fira the dryad shouts angrily.
"Haruum, little one...you grief sharpens your words, but there is truth in them. Our frinds here have both courage, wisdom and strength, that much is certain." Vinroot puffs, gently laying a comforting gnarled fist on Fira's shoulder.
"Well, it is strength and courage we will need - courage to face the enemy head on, and not hide in the bushes and treetops."
Devarre shakes his head and leans closer as more bickering erupts.
"As I feared - they are firmly entrenched in their own petty squabbles and beliefs. Do not lose heart - you may make them listen to reason yet."