"My counsel? Leave our forest and go back to your cities; this war is none of your business. Even if Rhoswen wins, she will not let the forest die, which is all that matters."
Thediar smiles appreciatively and, with a respectful bow and a glance at his companions, takes his leave.
"Well, my friends, I think we've accomplished our first mission: finding out about the stones.
"Our second task was to apprehend our little bleachling. I think my spells might help pin his location down. Then, it'd be up to Janus and Sarek to pin him down in more literal ways."
The gnome turns his head to look up at Janus, and for the first time, there's not a trace of humor in his eyes. "Whoever said anything about persuading Tenzekil to do anything besides reveal all he knows, one way or another? He's measured his own grave in this matter, and I think its high time someone pushed him in."
"My counsel? Leave our forest and go back to your cities; this war is none of your business. Even if Rhoswen wins, she will not let the forest die, which is all that matters."
Ylera snorts. "If she turns this forest into a shadow mockery, it may survive to wish for death."
Thediar smiles appreciatively and, with a respectful bow and a glance at his companions, takes his leave.
"Well, my friends, I think we've accomplished our first mission: finding out about the stones.
"Our second task was to apprehend our little bleachling. I think my spells might help pin his location down. Then, it'd be up to Janus and Sarek to pin him down in more literal ways."
"Agreed...it is high time that we brought him to account."
Thediar asks our allies for a map of the woodlands, and their best guess as to where the spriggan forces might be holed up.
That's a yesser
Thediar asks our allies for a map of the woodlands, and their best guess as to where the spriggan forces might be holed up.
Thediar learns that the bulk of the spriggan army is camped near the Fellnight side of the faengard breach. The army is rumored to number in the thousands, while the forces of King Maligorn is less than a hundred.
The breach is a few miles north of the waterfalls (also called Dead Man's Drop.) It is being patrolled by Rhoswen's troops. No one will tell you where exactly it is. They do not know where exactly Tenzekil is.
Thediar turns towards the more seasoned warriors in the group. "Head up north and improvise?"
"North it is...", Sarek says as he shoulders his pack.
He walks next to Thediar as they head north...
"Thank you, Thediar, for your eloquent words during the last day or so. I envy your gifts. Without your words we would not be armed with the information that we now possess."
Thediar rolls his eyes. "We all do what we can, with the gifts the gods give us.
"Ylera, I'm really sorry for the pain, or the embarassment, these shenanigans have caused you."
In the relative safety of the fae encampment the exhausted party falls asleep. They are awoken by brilliant rays of morning sunlight; the mist that blanketed the forest for days is now gone.
Before the party leaves to head north, Devarro approaches and questions the wisdom of their course of action. When he realizes they are determined to bring justice to Tenzekil the Traitor, the druid relents and wishes them luck.
"Once we get near the breach, I can turn everyone invisible and give everyone the capability to magically fly. If we could locate the breach, we could sneak right through," the little mage offers after thinking for a long while.
Before we go to sleep, Thediar would look at the map and cast divination. The specific goal: recover Tenzekil. The question: "Where ought we search, so that we would best find him?" Thediar spends more time than usual selecting the offering:
These words appear in Thediar's mind:
Where the shadowed land yearns
For a place in the sun
You shall find the one
Who fears the long winter
Thediar shares that message. "Sounds like he might be hiding in the Fellnight," he yawns. "Looks like tomorow's going to be a busy day.
"It doesn't look too far on the map. Let's try getting there on our own, and judge by noontime how far we get. If e need the teleportation, we need it. But if we don't I'd rather do without.
(Frankly, Janus, I try to avoid accepting gifts from the fair folk whenever possible. I don't know if the stories --about all the strings that are attached to even the simplest acceptance of a gift-- are all true, mostly true, or wild tales, but why take chances with that kind of stuff? Besides, something tells me that we'll have a marginally better chance of getting on Her Majesty's good side, if we don't pop in unannounced, the beneficiaries of His Fecund Majesty's spellcraft. )"
Before the party leaves the conclave encampment, Devarro approaches one last time.
"From my friends among the fey I have learned that the land encircled by the faengard appears to be a normal valley, and the faengard itself is just a hidden hedge of half-buried stones. Only at the breach will the nature of the barrier be obvious, and only there can you enter the Fellnight Realm."
Thediar smiles up at Devarro. "You and your friends among the fae are the greatest! We go now to see what can be done, and to earn our side some respect. If there's an emergency back here, call, and we'll be back as fast as we can."
"Let's get started then! I am anxious to meet the Queen," Lilia chirps, pleased to be on the route to resolve their current situation with Rhoswen.
"Thank you Devarro...we are truly blessed to have a friend like you. Wish us luck..."
Sarek falls in line with his companions heading north.
Janus leads the party into a harrowing journey through the forest, narrowly dodging Fellnight patrols and avoiding massive enemy encampments. After a day's journey full of close calls, they discover a dirt road trampled by thousands of footsteps, which leads to what can only be the faengard breach ...
Sarek quietly draws his sword and crouches down to peer though the brush.
"What are those other creatures besides the spriggans and worgs?" he whispers to his companions.
He concentrates on the large creatures to find their true nature...
That is an earth and a fire elemental. They are not evil.
"Of course, Thediar can try, but the last spriggans we met were in no mood to parlay, if you remember. They seem to be of very foul temper."
Lilia casts extended mage armor.
"The last spriggans we faced were taken down with bindings and entangles. Shall we see whether that tactic works again?"
Immediately before we make our move into the open, Lilia will cast Haste on the squad.
Knowledge Arcana
Knowledge (nature) +10
Knowledge (planes) +7
Knowledge (religion) +7
Roll: ; obviously, they're a mystery to Thediar, too.
Just in case it might be relevant
First Sight check
"Okay everyone, how will we proceed? Theidiar, do you want a chance to talk to this group first or should I begin casting prepatory magic now?"
"Lilia, why don't I go out and address them, after we all make such preparations as we feel prudent? If they should attack, we should have our actions ready."
"Sounds good. Other than my usual spell granting everyone additional spped and attacks for nearly a minute, I can make Janus invisible, so he might be able to sneak into a more advantageous position to fire his arrows from. If Sarek wants to stay back here with me, I can increase his size and strength, if the creatures do not listen to you."
For Thediar's part, he casts eagle's splendor, and sanctuary.
Immediately before he walks out, he casts prayer. For the next eight rounds, we all have a +1 luck bonus on virtually all rolls.
And ... showtime. Thediar walks out into the open. "Hey, guys! I need to speak to the dude in charge."
Diplomacy: .