Welcome to the Emerald Spire
Fort Inevitable stands on the rolling plains near the West Sellen River, close to the forest. This is a rich and gentle land; the town is surrounded by green pastures and wide, golden fields of grain. A strong stone wall with battlements and gatehouses protects Fort Inevitable, and within this formidable defense, the town is an orderly collection of two- and three-story stone houses and workshops with roofs of red tile or blue slate. If the streets seem a little cheerless and drab, at least they’re paved with good cobblestones and cleared regularly.
Nothing epitomizes the essential nature of Fort Inevitable as aptly as the stone citadel of the Hellknights, which looms over the town. There is no difference between martial law and civil authority in Fort Inevitable. The senior officer of the garrison rules as the lord or lady commander, directly overseeing civic administration as well as exercising military command. The current commander is a stern, middle-aged Chelish woman named Paralictor Audara Drovust. She is the commanding officer of the Order of the Pike’s chapter in the Crusader Road region, ruler of the Citadel, high magistrate, tax assessor, director of public works, keeper of the treasury, and chief regulator of business and commerce. No important aspect of the town’s life and activity is left outside the lady
commander’s authority.
Fort Inevitable was a good-sized village with extensive trade and commerce before the Hellknights chose it as their base on the Crusader Road, and its people still work as farmers, herders, artisans, and merchants. Law-abiding citizens find the lady commander’s rule to be firm but manageable. Those who don’t find a respectable profession or who fall into debt see a different side of Fort Inevitable, as both slavery and indentured servitude are legal here.
Fort Inevitable may be an oppressive place to live, but the Hellknights are not mindlessly brutal or vindictive. They crack down viciously on public disorder, enforce curfews, and tightly regulate commerce and transactions, but they don’t harass honest travelers. But it’s a good idea to guard your tongue and watch your step while inside its hard stone walls.
You have been sent here on behalf of the Pathfinder Society to explore, investigate and report on what you find regarding the Emerald Spire nearby. As such, the Society has purchased for you letters of warrant to keep your tasks clean within the local government. There is also a small local office here, which you can use for documenting your findings and communicating as necessary with the Society.
You arrive and get comfortable, and then start your endeavor seeking out your target. The Emerald Spire stands in a broad, raised clearing in the southwest reaches of the Echo Wood. This open area is known locally as the Spire Glen. The glen is almost perfectly circular and centered on the Emerald Spire, as if some unseen hand had long ago drawn a border around the old tower with a compass more than 500 yards wide. The trees of the Echo Wood crowd up against this unseen border and suddenly halt—nothing larger than a sapling grows in the Glen.
As travelers emerge from the Echo Wood underbrush, they find themselves staring up at a ruined keep guarding a broken central tower, all made of smooth, green glass. It’s obvious that a grand battle took place here many years ago, and the clearing around the ruin lies barren, with sickly weeds struggling to rise from the magic-blasted earth. Melted chunks of twisted glass pepper the ground, lending a green hue to the clearing’s light. Despite the damage, however, the glass of the keep itself seems to have avoided the ravages of time, with those pieces that survived the initial cataclysm unmarred by pitting or cracking, clean of moss and other clinging debris.
The stone staircase that led up to the tower’s door is now nothing more than a rubble-strewn cliff. On the tower’s south side, a dirt path winds up the steep embankment to a pitch-black doorway.
At the top of a steep dirt path winding up through the rubble, a doorway opens onto darkness, its entrance seeming to steal light into its inky depths.
|
That's quite the place.
Corbrae was looking at the massive broken tower from a reasonable distance, her light crossbow in hand
As is Fort Inevitable. I don't always agree with servants of Asmodeus, but they managed to do something with the town. And for all theirs sins, the Hellknights are often on the frontline against demons. But you better keep on the right side of the law with them. I'm glad the Society provided us with all the necessary permits and warrants.
Sad to see how much nature suffered here, even if I'm more used to cities and civilization. Probably my elf ancestors speaking in my blood.
You heard her name, Corbrae Illynel, when you registered your exploring squad at Fort Inevitable. She was deferent and respectuous with the authorities, and seemed to know a few things about Hellknights and their Orders.
Her voice is clear, harmonious, practised and her long brown hair cover most of her (slightly) pointed ears. She wears only some leather armor, with a rapier in its scabbard on her side, and a mace worn at her belt, but she doesn't look as the seasoned warrior. All her items are in good condition. Her backpack rests at her feet, and she knees in the ground to open it, taking her waterskin.
She sips some water, and asks to her fellow Pathfinders
Water, someone? We don't know when we will be able to drink next.
|
A man with a weathered traveler's outfit and blue scarf with intricate patterns nods in appreciation at Corbrae's offer. His very large backpack contrasting a small round shield, he is brimming with weapons, pouches and a multitude of other exploration equipment. A square set of shoulders and a square jaw do not take away from the kind expression in his eyes and his warm smile. His hair is long and his beard short, but his hands appear well-groomed - the sign of a trained healer - despite the visible dust on his equipment and thin layer of mud on his well-oiled boots.
"Yes, I'll have some dear Corbrae. It would be wise to keep one's bar tab clearly in the black in a town like this, so might as well get used to water and only imbibe costly drinks sparingly. Despite our letters of warrant, I don't doubt for a second they'd put folks with our skills into service for some middling noble or bureaucrat if they have any excuse for it. Next, you then find yourself on a ship outbound to Cheliax, with your new owner patting himself on the back for his business-sense and cleverness. These Hellknight outposts are just one of the recruiting arms of their slave industry, if you think about it..."
|
|
Oof, something's not right with this lad... when was the last time I had a whiff of this brand of effluvium?
Tibearius tries to remember one of his previous patients and what caused this; this would have to be taken care of if the lad wanted to go in deep, cramped spaces underground with other people...
|
|
The small and elderly Mrs. Book gives the countryside a severe look. She also gives the pathfinders a sever look. As a matter of fact she gives everyone and everything a sever look. With her close cropped hair and and no-nonsense expression you feel you might be in trouble if you crossed her. The fact that she is a little old lady, if mid-fifties could be considered old, and leans on a cane only mitigates that feeling a little. If this is someone's grandma, you can only pity the child.
"Hmph. Don't judge a book by it's cover, youngster. You will learn that sooner or later, and it would be better if you learned it sooner. And lose the ode de offal ASAP. I think I speak for everyone when I say that we do not wish to be travelling with someone that smells like a cross between overripe cheese and a latrine."
She fixes Joseph with a stare that seems to dare him to defy her.
|
|
A weather-worn half-elf emerges as he looks longingly at the Echo Wood.
”By all that is Green, I prefer the comfort of the Echo than the cold dictates of the stone citadel. “
The woodsman motions with his spear and a gray wolf approaches and lays near his feat.
After nodding to each of the fellow agents he shifts his gaze back in the direction of the Spire.
”We may encounter things not entirely natural or even from this world. We will find out soon enough. “
|
|
At first she thinks he must be talking about the Emerald Spire, but quickly realizes he means Fort Inevitable.
"Careful there son, some folks call that place home, including me. I for one prefer the warm hearthside in a stone house to the drafty and ofttimes soggy resting place of the Echo Woods. The rulers are fair, if a bit zealous at times, and the rules keep us safe and warm and employed."
|
|
I have read books about great generals, famous battles, and tomes of strategy, but I'm not a fighter per se. Nevertheless, we should try to organise ourselves for the expedition. Who goes on first, who close the march? Do we have enough torches, ropes, and mundane equipment to explore?Who has a fine eye for detail, so we don't get ambushed? Who can heal, besides myself?
|
|
Another nod and she replies, "Very nice to meet you too. It is true that to each their own. I've had students go on to be doctors, adventurers, lawyers, mayors, housewives, you name it. The important thing is that you are happy where you are at"
To the question of usefulness and equipment she offers, "I'm afraid I'm not going to be all that much use. You see I've only recently come into my powers, what they are. I can zap things a few times, 4 times per day to be exact, though I did purchase a few scrolls that might help. And as coule probably tell, I'm going to be a liability in anything hand to hand, and though my students swore by my cane swinging skills, I doubt a sore hand is going to stop a belligerent orc or whatever else we run into in there. I did buy something they called a 'sorcerer's kit' in the store," she adds brightly, dumping an obviously heavy backpack (at least for her) and opening it up for folks to see. "It does have some rope too."
As you move up the path, taking no real precautions, suddenly you see an arrow streaking your way! You also hear a sickly sounding dog starting to bark.
|
|
That was uncalled for!Beware the goblin and its dog! Where are it's manners? There isn't any "no trespassing" panel displayed around!
Corbrae picks her crossbow and shoots at the goblin
... and it probably enters the "worst shoots of the year" anthology.
More than a little disappointed, the hal elf tries to see the humor of the situation
Well, I can only do better by now. I hope.
The goblin dog bites at the wolf.
The goblin backs up 5 ft into the entrance, and switches to his horsechopper to attack the wolf.
The blade hits the wolf in the head, and he stumbles trying to remain standing. (Wolf at 0 hp currently).
Joseph and Corbrae both miss the goblin, but Tiberius takes the lead and a protective stance, while Viridian heals the wolf a bit.
The goblin dog charges in on Tiberius.
Due to the delayed reaction, the dog attacks. Luckily, Tiberius manages to dodge the attack.
The goblin shoots an arrow at Hanlon, but just misses. Then it scurries back into the dark. Mrs. Book tries to catch it with a grenade, but can't quite make the throw.
Hanlon slices the dog deep, and it falls to the ground, unconscious.
|
|
Corbrae moves along the trail, crossbow in hands and ready to use, until she is facing the entrance of the tower.
She still marvels at the huge building, and gives some advice to her fellow Pathfinder
Don't drop your guard yet, there is surely more goblins inside. This one could have been a scout
I must succeed in this exploration, make a chronicle and become famous!