4th & Dragon : Dungeons and Dragons...and stuff

The Obsidian Fortress

Initial events

On the year 1385 DR a group of adventurers was tasked to set forth and investigate a portal that appeared in the dalelands, close to the ruins of Myth Drannor.
The portal was some kind of a rift in the time/space continuum and seemed to lead to another world entirely, but still resembling Toril. It was a stable portal and passable both ways.

The world on the other side of the portal was called Abeir. Compared to Toril, Abeir is a less civilised world and more connected to the primal elemental energies. Dragonborn and Genasi are native to Abeir.

The adventurers explored Abeir for some months and made friends among the local people who were adventurous enough to get to know the strange newcomers.

They formed an adventuring company that was supposed to traverse both worlds and bring knowledge of Abeir to Toril and vice versa.

Part of the initial group was going to return to Toril from Abeir around 6 months after the portal originally appeared. When they entered the portal, something strange happened. The portal begun to pulse with magical energies and exploded when the group was passing through it.

The adventurers found themselves stranded in the woods surrounding Shadowdale on Toril (this is some ways from the original location of the portal). After investigating and contacting the people in the Dalelands, they found that they had been missing for some 100 years. The original portal closed about 6 months after its appearance on Toril.

It was now the spring of 1481DR, first three-day of Ches. Strange things have happened during the last 100 years and the adventurers decided to find out about the recent events and investigate the original site of the portal that began their journey. Nothing remained in the woods surrounding Myth Drannor. The magical upheaval of the spellplague had erased any sign of the portal.

The adventurers decided to split into smaller groups and learn about the areas surrounding the Dalelands and also find some of their earlier comrades (Elves and dwarves survived the 100 years of their absence).
Some found new adventures and explored close-by ruins and other areas of interest. Before splitting they agreed to have a meeting exactly 6 months from their return in the town of Shadowdale. The day they agreed on is on the day of high harvestide holiday, between the months of Eleasis and Eleint, the 8th and 9th months of the year.

The campaign starts when the characters return to Shadowdale from their recent adventures. Not all of them made it back.

OOC:
The party consists of those adventurers who meet in Shadowdale. There are a few others there (around 10 of you in total). Let’s keep the others a bit “murky” so that your possible future characters can be from among them.

The character’s know about as much general information as the FR player’s guide tells you. The spellplague has not affected the immediate surroundings too much.

Short description about Shadowdale is about to follow in the next post.

Feel free to invent “filler” events for the parts of your adventures after your departure to Abeir and what happened between then and now.

EDIT: Added some dates in above text.

Map of the surroundings of Shadowdale is here:

Info about Shadowdale.

Shadowdale
Population 10,000
Shadowdale is a broad tract of rolling hills and thick
forest with patches of cleared and settled land. The
unwalled village of Shadowdale (population 1,000)
and the looming presence of the white granite
promontory called Old Skull dominate the forested
area where the North Ride and the River Ashaba
cross.
Today the woods of Shadowdale are quite
changed from centuries past. The Living Wood, as
it is once again known, is peopled by all manner
of benevolent fey. Led to the dale by retired Lord
Azalar Falconhand, the fey congregate near the
Ashaba because of the unusual concentration of
geomagical energy along its banks.

The characters agreed to meet in the ‘Weary Feet’ Inn.
It is located just outside of the village of Shadowdale, on the north side.
A road passes it that goes north to the Bridge crossing the river Ashaba.
The inn was built around 10 years ago, but now the travel along the road has lessened since and now it is quiet, the inn only has a few patrons in addition to the characters.

Known to most adventurers, Elminster (a powerful human wizard) resided previously in Shadowdale. With magical longevity, he has survived past even the last 100 years and might be around somewhere. Some other famous adventurers, like Storm Silverhand have lived in Shadowdale previously.

It is now the annual holiday of Highharvestide. In the town of Shadowdale, the people are celebrating their survival of yet another year and being able to store a decent harvest this year. Apples are ripe and cider has been made for the feast. There are lots of drunkenly happy people around the town.

You agreed 6 months ago to meet at the Weary Feet, a relatively new inn around these parts, some ways from the town center. Around the inn, there are less townspeople and other Dalespeople. Some travelers have gathered in the inn to celebrate, but the inn is comparatively quiet when you arrive.

Feel free to describe your arrival. You arrive in the order of posting, so you can refer to those that are already there. There are a few familiar faces to greet the first one of you.

Faelar is there, an elven wizard of indeterminate age, he is one of your original exploration party. He is dressed in travel gear and seems to be somewhat in a somewhat thoughtful mood.

Faelar has with him some quiet fellow you don’t recognize. He is a middle aged human dressed in a dusty and well traveled clothes.

Together with them is Halben, who also was with you in Abeir. He is a halfling adventurer who seems to be quite drunk on cider and certainly not slowing down his drinking when he sees you arrive. He is dressed in silks and other finery, blending in best with the festive people.

Upon seeing Faelar and Halben, Numaar walks forward to the table and leans over it “Well glad to see you two are still kicking after our months apart.” turning to Halben Numaar asks “Got a mug for me, or you planning on drinking this place dry before the rest of us get a chance to partake?”

Not waiting for Halben’s response and eyeing the new fellow at my buddy Faelar’s side Numaar decides to be a bit more serious “Who do you have with you here Faelar?  No one I recognize and you know how I hate strangers.  No offense meant.”

After Faelar introduces his friend, Numaar relaxes enough and takes a seat “So seriously Halben what does an elf got to do get a drink around here?  Any of you got any information about what has been going on since we were last here?  I haven’t done much looking, but did run into some strange things along the way back home.  My home woods seemed to be unspoiled but appears to have an ogre infestion along with some green dragons.  Couple close calls with the last group had me a little rattled.” sighs Numaar “Good to be back amongst familiar faces.”

Alexander strolls into the Inn, looking the part of an excited local if one ignored the leather armor and matted, dusty clothing. Still giddy over his latest discoveries, Alexander makes a bee line for the table, joyfully slapping an obviously drunk Halben on his way around the table to sit on the other side of Faelar.

“So cider is the drink of the day? I suppose one drink would be within reason” he chimes up after Numaar flags over a waitress.

After a quick introduction to the unknown at the table, Alexander begins rattling off everything he has discovered of the new ritual process in the lands.

“I’m amazed at what has already been gained and lost in the area! Just this week on my return back to Shadowdale I stumbled across an old hut, the living quarters of an old man that had moved away from his village to better study and create some 60 years ago. Unfortunately he had passed on, quite unpleasantly from what was left of the cabin. Not the safest area for a single old man. But what he had created! I’ve spent the past two days pouring over his materials, learning and transcribing what I could.”

“But enough of me and my tale of dusty books and old dead men, how have you all faired in this past month?”

Halgrath comes into the inn with a warm smile on his face.  He is leaning slightly on his quarterstaff as if a little tired.  As he passes through the Inn he noods to all he sees and gives them all warm smiles.  Reaching the table he opens his arms wide, “Good to see you all again my friends,” and goes to hug each one.

“Alexander, good to see you.  You look as if you have been in a spot.  I’m sure we can get the grime cleaned off before the night for a bit of a dance.

“And Nummar, glad you are safe and with us, but don’t think you will out drink me friend.” Halgrath turns to a bar made, “Miss, a glass for me and anyone else in the Inn who wishes it, I will pay for the first round.”

“Fealar, you seem to be glad to be here.  I know Halden is, haha!  Hope the rest get here soon.

“Now, who are you friend?” Halgarth gives him a hug as well.

Varis strides up, his cloth robes wafting about his feat.  He looks rather un-equipped to be coming back from long travels away, but his friends know better than that.  His gloves always hold a few surprises that come out at just the right time.  He quickly spots his friends and walks over to greet them with a large smile on his face, “It has been too long hasn’t it my friends?  I must say I have missed your companionship these last 6 months, it is good to be among allies again.”

Varis walks up to each and gives them a good squeeze whether they want it or not, but smiles even wider as he notices the new-comer.  “And who do we have here?  Faelar making new friends again?  Well if you are a friend of Faelar then you are a friend of mine,” he says with that large welcoming grin.

“Waitress, please add on a round for the gang to celebrate our new friend” And even louder then, “And make that another round for everyone here, let us celebrate this wondrous occasion!  To new friends and new stories all around!”

His charismatic little speech brings smiles from the few other patrons and nods and waves of thanks.  This has always been how Varis is though, making new friends with everyone and talking with whoever he meets.

“So where are our other friends, I grow anxious to see everyone together again,” Varis says with a wink.

Note: all speech is in bold.

Faelar greets all of you in turn, then seems to fall into a thoughtful mood again.

Halben greets you all with enthusiasm and orders some food for all of you and a jug of cider for the table.
Well met frieds! This is surely a joyous day and such a nice evening to spend with all of you.

The fellow that sits with Faelar nods to each of you when you arrive, and after some time introduces himself: I am Wesley, a friend of Faelar.

After you have all sat and chatted for awhile, Faelar gathers his thoughts and starts to speak.

I am glad to see all of you alive and well again. Unfortunately I cannot say that all of us made it here.

You see, I left with Ariana, Laerath and three adventurers that you don’t know to a mission to investigate and recover some items for my friend Wesley here.

Faelar nods at Wesley

He wanted us to go to an area inside the borders of the Nethese empire and find a broken tower that was supposed to hold some kind of magical artefacts. To go there, we took some shortcuts through a known earthnode and traveled underground near the site where this tower was supposed to be. The site is west from the Border Forest and north of the Scimitar spires.

Faelar sips some cider and clears his throat. He eyes all of you with a weary gaze.

When we arrived at the caves leading up from the underground passages we used, we got into a fierce fight with some Minotaurs - well equipped with weapons and armor. I suspect they are serving Netherese masters and guarding the area. The fight was too much for us and we had to retreat back, into the passages we came from. Laerath was separated from us when we escaped down the tunnels. We ran for our lives and could not stop for a moment. During the escape I could only keep up with Ariana - together with ran and fought when we had to. Our new friends ran for it and we did not see them since.

Finally we thought we found a way back to the original passage we used.
In a crossroads there, we encounted some kind of huge spiders and drow elves. Some kind of patrol I think.

Faelar now is looking quite sad and turns to look down at the table, rather than facing any of you.

I am ashamed to say that Ariana was killed. I was able to escape with luck by falling into a ravine and then taking a shortcut through the Feywilds to a place where the drow could not follow me.

(You all know that Faelar is a Moon elf, Moon elves are the Eladrin of Toril.)

I barely made it back to the earth node alive. All I could hope for was that we could return to save Laerath, and perhaps we still would have time to restore Ariana to life too.

Faelar turns quiet, as if waiting for you to say something.

Wesley stays quiet, watching your reaction to what Faelar told you.

Halben stares drunkenly at Faelar and gets up to stand on his bench.
And you tell me this now! We have been sitting here for two hours now and you did not say anything!
He throws a cup of nuts that was on the table at Faelar and he turns furious very quickly. He does have a quick temper.

OOC information:
Laerath is an Elven adventurer, a good shot with a bow. You all knew him quite well. He is probably capable of surviving in wilderness on his own, so he might well be alive still.

Ariana is a half elf Sorceress, you knew her too. She was perhaps a bit more experienced than the others (paragon level).

Upon hearing the grievous news Numaar stares at Faelar and speaks with a very deliberate tone “You know I have lost friends before, friends I loved and cared for as brothers, as I treat most you here now.  If there is even a chance to save Laerath or restore Ariana, you know you have me to count on in this matter.  I will gladly perish to save those that I call friend. It appears you are all that I have left and I would do anything to prevent losing any of you.”

after allowing others to speak their piece, seemingly lost in a trance or some long forgotten memory, Numaar asks “I see you sit with Wesley, so you must still trust him?  What is our quickest path to where our friends lay or are possibly to be found?  If the information is good and there wasn’t a trap, what do you suppose Laerath might hole up?”

Numaar sips his cider while waiting for responses to his questions.  Halben is right Faelar shouldn’t have waited, though i understand it would be hard for him to tell more than once.  Hopefully we will be able to proceed with haste.  How, why Ariana.  The gods still curse us for returning.

ooc: italics for internal thought.  I would like to make an insight check to gain a vibe against wesley seeing that i already distrust him by default since he has yet to be proven.

Your insight tells you that he is a bit wary because he expects others to blame him of the events.
On the other hand, if he had betrayed Faelar and the others, why would he still be here?
He must either want to help you out of his goodwill, or has some motive he has not revealed yet.

He does not show any sign of lying and the nervousness is probably just having to meet Faelar’s friends who might turn on him.

"Dear, dear friend,” Varis says to Faelar showing a rare look without his smile, concern crossing his face.  The merriment has left his mood, replaced now by the desire to go instantly to set off and find his lost companions.  He looks from Faelar to Wesley*, face giving nothing away but studying them both. 

A good companion to have and trusting of his friends to the end, Varis must first be sure that he is receiving the truth.  Luckily it is a skill he is quite talented at, most always being able to discern the truth from the not.  He nods his head, apparently satisfied by his study and letting his friends know that, then speaks, “By the might of Tempus! We will find our friends and put a stop to those who have caused this grief among us!”

Varis looks towards the door, waiting for the rest of the party to show so that they can set off at once.

OOC: The * after Wesley is my wanting to perform an Insight check on just Wesley.  My +16 Insight (+5 1/2 Lvl, +2 Racial Bonus, +4 Wis Mod, +5 Training) should be able to root out anything that seems funny about Wesley.  Not trying to make you do a check for everyone here Rothe, but it fits Varis’ personality to be wary of a newcomer when something so important is on the line.  Quick to make friends, but when it gets serious he make sure he knows they are someone he can depend on.

This post will change if I do find something wrong though, since Varis wouldn’t be letting his friends know he is satisfied about him if there is something fishy

OOC: note that I will allow passive insight/perception in any case. Active perception will give more specific results sometimes though.
Wesley seems a bit scared. He is fearing some kind of outburst and you think he is just waiting to see your (all of you) reactions first before saying anything.

Pushing his half full cider away, Alexander stands. “I am ready for travel. Time is as looming an opponent in this case as any beast. However, we are still lacking details regarding how this situation came about.” Alexander gestures towards the rest of the party.

“Wesley, what kind of artifacts are these that are supposedly hidden in this tower? And who provided the shortcut that led to the minotaurs? Is there any reason to think this might have been more than a passing guard and bad timing? We’ll need as many details as possible to properly prepare.”

Faelar continues:

We must get moving quickly.

Look here, I have a map with some notes I made for our mission.

Faelar spreads a map on the table.
(OOC: see the map at end of post)

I don’t feel fit to lead this mission after what happened, but I surely hope that enough of you will agree to go. I can act as a guide for you.

I think we have a team here. If someone else comes here later, lets leave a message about where we went. Lets decide which route to take.

He looks at Halben warily.

Perhaps it would be better if you stayed here with Wesley and informed other latecomers where we have gone? You are surely too drunk to travel now and it will be even worse in the morning.

Halben looks offended and is about to argue with Faelar.

(OOC: insight checks (Mexil, Varis, Alexander): he is a bit less experienced than most of you and would probably have to be looked after. It will offend him now, but later he will understand if you leave him behind. Especially if you give him an important task so he does not feel left out.)

Wesley cuts off Halben and starts to speak for the first time:

You’ll need some specific supplies for the routes. To open the earthnode portal, you will need to use a ritual to link the earthnodes. It is quite costly, but I am willing to offer you the materials for that - I understand you are capable enough to use these rituals.

What you you think about that? I can give you the ritual for linking the nodes right now, no strings attached. I am sorry about your friends and I hope you can rescue them.

OOC:
Linked Portal is an 8th level arcane ritual that opens a gate between prepared sites. Earthnodes count as such. Wesley is offering a ritual book with the ritual scribed on it.

Walk crossroads is a 12th level ritual, scrolls can be used by lower level characters.
With “specially prepares” you understand that Wesley means that it is capable of such a long distance (more than 200 miles) even though such rituals normally have a maximum range of 150 miles or so.

Raise Dead costs 500 gp for reviving heroic tier characters, but it costs 5000gp to restore a paragon level character to life. Ariana is more experienced than you and you know there is something special about her that leads you to believe the more powerful version is needed.

Glossary:

Earthnode - Earthnodes are sites that connect via energy flows inside the earth, something akin to Ley lines. They can be used by wizards and other people skilled in the arcane arts as portals to travel through other such sites. They are normally located underground.

Fey crossroads - Fey crossroads are also places that create a portal through the wild magics of the feywild to another such crossroads location, often located in the feywilds or on the surface of Toril. These locations are places where the feywilds border the material plane of Toril and are often inhabited by fey creatures, sometimes specific powerful ones that are called “Crossroads guardians”. Feywilds are a confusing place, creatures encountered there are most likely mischievous and play tricks on travelers or outright malevolent and dangerous.

“Zhent" - Refers to Zhentil keep, an evil tyrannical town that controlled the north shores of the Moonsea and reached its control also towards the lands that are now part of the Netherese empire. Zhentil keep also was closely linked to the church of Bane previously.

"Faelar, what was the original deal this man offered?  Was he going to grant payment for the artifact?  All he offers us now for free is the earthnode portal ritual, which I am sure am trained enough to do.  Free components for the spell would be very helpful.  I also know how to preserve a body to give us time once we find her to restore her back to life.  I want us to be sure we need this man’s master’s help.” states a disgruntled Numaar “I am no leader and my main concern is getting our friends back alive, but I don’t want to have to put ourselves into the debt of someone I don’t know if we don’t have to.”

Regaining some composure “Faelar I will trust your judgement.  If you trust them enough to be good minded people that will suffice for now.”

Thinking to himself Get the scrolls, get our friend, then decide to follow through with the deal.  If this man is using us, he will have hell to pay for his hand in what will happen.  It was his bad information, i am sure, that led to the death of my friend or friends.  If he had access to all this powerful magic, he surely can scry properly.  I will get more information from Faelar when we are out of the presence of this Wesly character.

ooc: i know linked portal and gentle repose. I know raise dead but lack the funds to cast it on her. So if he is just offering the ritual without the components to do it, I would take it and sell it or try to trade for more components of the raise dead spell.

Insight about Wesley’s actions: He seems to blurt our his “plans” quite quickly, expecting some of you to interrupt him. He is still nervous, but somehow relieved that he got to say what he did. You still don’t feel like he is trying to trick you or anything of that nature.

OOC: I don’t want to make a separate Insight summary for all of the characters, so I will use the best ones and assume you share the information now or later in this case. It is just saving time to do it this way.