Silvanost War Council

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 searches for clues in the kindling. "A map, a key, something to let me know the way to go." Grotto then looks around the room to see if he can find a way to move forward. He begins tapping the walls, listening for the faint echo that would tell him the passage continues. The dwarf's fingers trace along the tiles of the mosaic and the elven warrior at its center. Then, he finds it. A "crack" inside of a larger tile that is too perfectly geometric to be damage due to age. Several similar buttons radiate outward from the first. He shrugs, spreads his fingers and pushes them all in at once.

With an audible "CLICK" the entire wall swings back about two inches like a giant door.

Grotto readies his throwing axe, pushes the door, and proceeds with caution. Just as he steps beyond the threshold, a rune on the floor begins to glow bright red. Grotto barely has time to curse and grab his shield before the glyph detonates. Fire washes over him but his quick reaction saved him from serious injury.

Though Grotto is deep within the earth, somehow it seems as bright as daylight within this room; crystals set into the ceiling glow with an incandescent radiance. An elven body is neatly laid out upon a raised dais. It seems untouched by the ravages of time. His fair skin is pale, his eyes closed, his face framed by a pool of silver-gold hair. He is clothed in the fine regalia of an elven prince, yet bears the silvery breastplate of an elven warrior. Leaning against the foot of the dais is a small silver shield, emblazoned with a rose lacquered in brilliant crimson. Next to the elf’s head is an elegantly crafted helm. And there, clasped in his hands, resting upon his chest, is a sword.

EN ROUTE TO THE DRAGON ISLES

"Is there anything else you would like to know, Lady Agnes?" Arthur stretches in his seat "I cant wait to see your home, though I wish it was under better circumstances."

Ag'nesallynn shakes her head. "Maybe later, when we stop to rest. I am giving some thought to our route and how to best avoid the Dragonarmies. We can either travel at night to avoid being seen or I can resume my elven form and we could possibly join a caravan and travel in plain sight among the masses. We can decide when we reach the town of Pashin in Khur."

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

Cedron finishes his tea. Then suddenly, and as abrupt as their departure, his companions return. He immediately looks them over for any injuries, and provides healing as necessary.

Raven bears mild acid burns but raises his hands to ward off the ministrations offered by Cedron. "I'll be fine. However," he holds up the coat taken from the minotaur sergeant, "Nightwatcher's hilt showed me that this coat is enchanted. Can you identify the magics that it holds?"

Cedron takes the item from Raven. “I’ll take a look. He begins humming the harmonics to invoke a Cure bardic spell, and stops before touching the elf “Are you sure? We have traveled too far to suffer the arbitrary. Why not walk without bite?” He counsels his friend.

Raven thinks about it for a moment, "If there are no others more in need than me, I thank you kindly for whatever healing you can provide." He looks around the room, "Can anybody tell about this cat and what it said?"

Cedron smiles and completes the notes to his healing song while touching Raven on his shoulder. “Such is relative.” He thinks to himself. “I’ll tell you what I know…” Cedron replies and continues to update Raven.

After Cedron tells Raven what he knows about Lord Hamish, the Sugar Plum Faerie rises, "If what this 'Hamish' says is true, I can't waste any time. Our friends must be retrieved. I will go into Faerie, track them down, and return as quickly as possible."

Kysek; finding himself back at our headquarters surveys the scope of the rescued elves. “This looks like a job well done. Unfortunately, there are more within the city itself. I’m afraid we can’t rescue them all. The only way to do that is to win this war. They sure do like their dragons though. I wonder if the dragons may be under an enchantment from the “Dragon Queen” and what would happen if that were broken?”

Shadow checks on the others to make sure they are okay rather quickly, then once assured they are whole. He holds out in a small glass vial he had in his bag of holding. “I hope this is enough to track it.  It’s some of the dragon’s blood, mixed with a bit of snow.” He turns to Raven and says we should find out where they keep their dragons and kill them. Not sure how, but I am working on that part.... wait... Where are we going now? I need to know what spells to prepare. I’m in Dragonslayer mode not Fairy Ring toss.”

Raven's face turns grim. "I'm going to get Cassidy, Eilra, Ornforithalas and his wife back from the $^@$% who took them."

“I will go with you.” Cedron says to Raven. “As lovely as the ambience of this warehouse may be, I need to stretch my legs. Besides these faerie folk seem to appreciate a good ballad.”

Shadow nods, “I want to get them back as well. I just need to rest and get some of my spells back. Or, we can split the party?”

Raven pauses for a moment, "There is much to do here. It would be unwise to leave the city undefended."

“I want to go help get Cassidy. But I know I need to stay here too. I know what I need to do. I just don’t know if I have the strength to do it.” Shadow pauses and looks at the others before answering, “I am needed more here.

Ra’ziir spends the next several hours focused on formulating an attack plan on the captured city of Kurinosti. He will consult the remaining military leaders in Silvanosti before seeking out additional information to be found from books, maps, and any historical documents that can be located. Once satisfied that he has explored all available resources, he will consult with the Shadow and Kysek and share what, if anything he has learned.

Over the course of the limited time he has to spend on research before sunrise, Ra'ziir learns that the city was built to take adventurers of the deep waters of the Bay of Balifor. It was never a particularly large city, even less so after the Cataclysm, as the Silvanesti Elves became more insular following the devastation wrought upon the land. It has served primarily as a base for fishing operations and conducted extremely limited trade for the few good the elves were unable to produce for themselves.

Sergeant Falindrithan informs him that the city garrison was led by Commander Haslaran and boasted a small company of marines and archers with a handful of mages who provided magical support. The city was also home to a contingent of Griffon Riders who patrolled Kurinost's waters, mostly watching for ships in distress and several squads of Wildrunners - lightly armored scouts who emphasize speed and mobility over frontline fighting in much the same manner as the troops provided to Ra'ziir, Shadow, and Kysek.
- - - - -
08 Newkolt 349 AC

The next morning, Alara arrives to summon Kysek to a meeting of the Elven Council.

Kysek says, “Allow me a moment and I will join you.” The elven thief turned mage summons Bubo. Once his avian companion is resting upon his shoulder; he turns and adds, “Lead the way.” Turning to his companions he asks, “Is there anything we feel needs spoken at this meeting?”

When Kysek reaches the Council Hall, he discovers that Elamyar, Daebella, Adfaren and dozens of other elves that he doesn't recognize are already present when Kysek arrives. Several elves are in military uniforms of one type or another, from scouts in leather to infantrymen in chainmail to knights in silvery plate armor, several of whom have braided cords attached to their shoulders.

One of these warriors is speaking to Elamyar. "We were holding the line. Our archers and mages were raining death down upon the Dragonarmy's human fighters. Then, three green dragons broke invisibility, breathing that poison gas of theirs. Five of my griffon riders went down in the initial attack." The warrior shakes his head, "We can pull survivors from the Kurinost Griffon Wing but they suffered grievous losses of their own when their city was overrun. I don't know where we will be able to find experienced replacements."

Elamyar nods, "I understand, Commander Terinani. I am told that Sorfina's Wildrunners were also decimated by hill giants and these Draconians while covering the withdrawal from Kurinost. Only the Sithelnost and Tarithnesti Divisions are still close to full strength but they are further from the front lines." The red wizard notices Kysek and breaks into a weary grin, "Commander, allow me to introduce Interim Councilor Creepingshadow. He helped slay two of the red dragons that attacked us here in the capital. He has been given command of a platoon of scouts. I have also been told that he was part of a successful rescue mission in Kurinost late last night, close to fifty of our people were freed by his efforts on our behalf. Kysek, this is Lord Commander Althanos Terinani of House Protector."

"I have received word of this rescue. It has given a measure of hope to all of Silvanost. You and your compatriots shall be commended for your valor," Commander Terinani extends a hand towards the Knight of the Barrie Grange.