Grotto and the Temple, Arthur & Agnes in Sithelnost, Scrying the Dragon, the Griffon Rider

 07 Newkolt 349 AC

Note: The Temple of Kiri-Jolith is based on "The Ghost Blade" from the 3rd edition Dragonlance Campaign Setting Sourcebook, modified for level and to fit the plot of our current campaign.

AT THE ABANDONED TEMPLE OF KIRI-JOLITH

Grotto realizes the fallen elf is probably a great warrior from the murals. He again prays to Hanseath for the soul of the fallen elf. He lays his hand upon the breastplate of the elf and says,  "Great warrior, how I wish you were here with us. Your lands are under attack by a treacherous former ally. The murals tell the tales of your greatness. A warrior of your standing would be of great use to lead his people. Forgive me for taking your belongings. I hope your artifacts will rally a fighting spirit within your kin. You have my word that these items will be kept safe and out of the hands of the enemy."  With that said, Grotto respectfully begins to take the plate, helm, and shield. Lastly he picks up the sword. "Such a fine weapon. I am sure it has slain many filth at your hands!" Grotto says to the dead elf. Grotto bows deep and reverently to the fallen warrior. "I will be off now. I will tell your people of your location as it seems to have been forgotten to the ages. Your deeds should not be forgotten. Your tomb should be a shrine and not allowed to go to ruin." With those parting words, Grotto looks around the elf's final resting place to be sure there are no other hidden items or passages or any other of the elf's belongings that should not fall into enemy hands.

After a few minutes of searching, the scarred dwarf makes his way back up the tunnel to the main antechamber, staying to his right to avoid the pit in the center of the room and detects a slight breeze coming from the wall beside him. Realizing that this temple must have been designed symmetrically, he begins poking and prodding the wall until he finds a latch that opens another hidden door, this one leading into a passage going west.

Passing through the secret passage, he descends down another stairway. A faint light shines from ahead. At the bottom of the stairs sits a simple chamber. A natural spring fills about two-thirds of the room, lit from within by a strange light. Against the far wall, rising above the water, is an elegantly carved marble altar of some sort.

EN ROUTE TO THE DRAGON ISLES

Arthur looks at the land below and than to the sky looking out for any enemies as they fly in silence for a little bit. Miles of forest flash by as Ag'nesallynn skims over the treetops. The dragon carries him west, avoiding the northern edge of the forest for as long as possible. As the sun begins to set beyond the horizon, the city of Sithelnost comes into view.

Once again, Agnes lands and assumes her elven form. She and Arthur walk the rest of the way to the city. After a few minutes, Arthur notices movement in the trees as shadowy figures mirror their progress through the woods.

Arthur draws Lawbringer and his shield and put himself between Agnes and the shadowy figures "Agnes, we have movement. I have a spare dagger at my hip."

As Agnes steps closer to the First Paladin of Malazzar, an arrow thunks into the ground in front of his feet. Armed elves appear, melting out of the woods. A voice calls out. "That's far enough. State your names and business."

"My name is Arthur and we are making our way to Sithelnost to find an inn for the night. Who are you to be shooting an arrow toward me and who I call mine?" He readies himself for what may come. Arthur whispers to Agnes "if it comes down to it we can teleport away."

"I am Captain Gilthanest Windsteed of House Protector, 6th Sithelnost Leaf. What brings you to my city?"

"We seek an inn for the night and provisions, Captain Gilthanest and than we will be gone by tomorrow. We are just passing through."

The captain signals for his men to relax and approaches. He nods to Agnes, "Apologies, Lady. There are reports of human mercenaries serving alongside the hobgoblin rabble of the Dragonarmies. We just wanted to be sure your companion didn't pose a threat. We will lead you past our sentries and into the city itself."

Sithelnost is not a large town but it is well-maintained. Near the city center, Arthur and Agnes are led past an orderly and beautiful garden with flowers blooming even now, in the depths of winter. A long row of statues, each depicting a hero or other elf renowned for mastery of their chosen craft, lines a grand gallery flanking the garden. Despite its beauty, there are almost no citizens in the streets, and those that are seen bustle along with their heads down, intent on making it to some destination with little time for idle chatter.

Before long, the travelers and their escort arrive at Hwesta Lómë, the Restful Night Inn and are shown inside. The main room is filled with elves of all social classes eating in silence or speaking in hushed tones about recent skirmishes. Most seem to be soldiers with a handful of staff tending to their needs.

The inn's matron appears, "Not getting many travelers these days, most of our people have fled south to Silvanost. Just the garrison and a few of us diehards remain. We have plenty of rooms available but not much in the way of food choices. The fields north of town were burned in an attack so what is left are preserves from last autumn. Will it be just the one night?"

08 Newkolt 349 AC

IN COUNCILOR SUMMERWALKER'S WAREHOUSE ~ NOW SERVING AS RA'ZIIR/SHADOW/KYSEK'S COMMAND CENTER

“Then let us waste no time, Sergeant!” the Bladesinger replies enthusiastically. “Take me to your cousin, and once our business at the stables is completed, we will find something to eat!”

The pair sets out. It turns out that Falindrithan is a much better tour guide than Lorraine, Agnes, or Alara, at least from a military viewpoint. The sergeant points out various civil buildings and narrates the tales of political maneuvering that led to their creation. While many homes and shops are made of carefully shaped living wood, nearly all of the structures dedicated to the rule and administration of the city are built from stone. Most of them, which were erected during the early days of the nation feature arrow slits, hidden sally ports, and
murder holes above the entryways and where defenders could rain down death upon any hostile force foolish enough to challenge the elves.

Shadow and Spewer spend a few minutes going through their belongings changing out items from the bag of holding to his pouches. He produces a stack of spell books and begins working through the changes that he’ll make now that their Elven rescue mission is completed. He quickly looks up the wind wall spell, and a few others that should come in handy for fighting these green dragons, including the scrying spell that he used to find Raven.

Shadow sits with the vial of the dragon’s blood and cast the scrying spell trying to locate the wounded dragon.

After an hour of chanting, an image appears. The green dragon is inside of what looks like a warehouse. Robed figures walk around the wyrm, chanting prayers and laying their hands upon the great beast’s flanks. Wounds close and scab over before being replaced with fresh, unmarred scales.

A voice speaks from somewhere just beyond Shadow’s mystic vision, a deep rumble that the dark elf can feel in his bones. "You say elves did this to you?"

The dragon nods its massive head, "Yes, but they were unlike any elves I have ever seen. Two had skin of gold, the third was blacker than night, and their archer was so pale that I could have mistaken him for a bloodless corpse."

The sound of something massive moving echoes through the cavernous building. "Interesting. I shall pass this on to the rest of the flight. None of you are to engage any enemies on your own until we are able to learn..." The voice pauses. "We are being watched." There is the sound of more movement and a truly massive head comes into view and turns to look directly into Shadow’s scrying sensor. An absolutely tremendous face, covered in verdant scales, tinged grey along their edges and covered with the scars of battles lost to time immemorial smiles, "Interesting, indeed." The dragon's foreclaws make an arcane gesture and the image cuts out, replaced by darkness.

AT THE COUNCIL HALL

“I would be interested in riding upon a griffon. However; there is a member of our party you must meet. He hails from the same city as I. He founded the Guild of the Griffon there. I know he would be an excellent choice to help you fill the saddles of your griffons," Kysek replies.

Commander Terinani nods, "Excellent. I am heading there now. Perhaps you could join me and tell me more of this rescue from last night."