Wardens of Heroes Gate

Reaching Treyvigg Monastery

] You are traveling East along the Tethir Road to your destination – Treyvigg Monastery. Last night you slept among the caravan wagons in a field outside Trademeet. Early this morning, you parted ways with Nim and Norli Bragos and the rest of their caravan. They continue their way North to Baldurs Gate. The three Wwaldyr syblings accompany you to your destination, which you expect is only hours away now. The Forenoon hours were uneventful. You have not even seen another traveler along the way.

] Tolvathir stands in the back of the cart, watching the skies. Argathen and Ariola are walking alongside but occasionaly have rested by sitting on the back of the flatbed cart. Where are each of you?

Yisi] I am sitting in the drivers seat of the wagon, holding the reigns. I kept watch last night while other slept and my Trance period was not as peaceful as it usually is.

Valea] I sit alongside Yisi. I notice he looks a bit tired. I grab the reigns out of his hands. “This one will make horseys go a while. Rest now my black-eyed prince, Valea will watch for grape fields.”

Yisi] “So, after all, we may in this life, rest in a true friend”

Valea] “Knife-ear should keep this line – Valea thinks it is good and would like to hear it again.”

Yisi] I climb into the back of the wagon to lie down for a rest.

] As you turn, you see Joloobo standing on the wagon. He smiles awkwardly and waves.

Joloobo ] “Greetings ‘knife-ear’! Sorry, I forgot your name already. I think the human here was Ariola, and her brothers were.. Well brother names of some sort I suppose.”

Yisi] “Joloobo! I really I needed a surprise today, but how did you know?” I say with a bit of a snark in my voice.

Joloobo ] “Surprise? But I didn’t know… should I have known? But how would I have known? I don’t think I could have after all.”

Yisi] “I was making jest Joloobo. I am as pleased to see you as I am surprised. But I thought you had a troll to hunt?”

Joloobo] “Oh yes, that is done. Rayni was very please with the harvest! The blood of three Forest Trolls is enough to make a hundred healing potions. Oh, that reminds me…” I dig aroung in my satchel and pull out 5 potion vials. “These are for you. They are very powerful healing potions [Superior 8d4+8]. Rayni sells these for 500gp each! But since you helped bring down the Trolls, I told her you should share in the rewards. Drink them when its dire, or sell them if you need the gold instead.”

Yisi] “This is quite generous Joloobo. Our many thanks! ”

Joloobo] “I thought we might also meet that green dragon today. I would not dare hunt it on my own, but I got to thinking… you all just might encounter the beast today, and if you did, well… if you do and we can bring it down… well that would make us all wealthy beyond imagination. Even though it is a young dragon, I can harvest enough of its blood for several hundred potions – each worth a thousand gp apeice. ”

Valea] I turn and interject “Yes… or dragon gets a light snack in the afternoon.” I chuckle as I amuse myself.

Yisi] “I can see why you hunt trolls, but I agree with Valea, a dragon might be a thing to first run from. ”

Joloobo] “Oh, well yes, you are probably right. As I said… never would I think to take one on by myself. But just in case you need my help, can I ride along and watch the skies for you? I can be pretty handy whether we face dragons or orcs. Besides, Rayni will be travelling for a few Tendays. ‘What will you do with yourself while I’m gone?’ she asked me. I just didn’t know the answer so she gave me one… she told me to find my new friends. So here I am friends, if that is ok. I don’t take up much room after all, and like I said, I can be pretty handy in a scrap.”

Valea] “This one thinks Joloobo is welcomed.  Here and at grape farm.”

Yisi] “Indeed. Welcome friend. We have only a few hours of travel left until we reach our destination. I would suspect that the monks will have room for all of us.”

Joloobo] “Monks you say? Grapes?”

Yisi] “Yes, the monks at Treyvigg Monastery. That is our destination. We are going there to purchase some wine, and perhaps train with their martial teachers for a while. We ourselves call another monastery our home. We don’t see many visitors in our mountain temple, but I understand Treyvigg often entertains outsiders and provides lodging to them.”

Joloobo] “I don’t really need a room and bed… I can’t remember the last time I used one. Just give me a solid tree with a thick canopy and my comfort will be great.”

Valea] “The wee one sleeps in trees? Like a squirrel yes?”

Joloobo] “Most all my life. Never had much use for walls and doors. Doesn’t it just feel weird to step into a box where you cannot see the sky or the ground or anything?”

Yisi] “The soul has no need of box, the spirit no need of a cage, the breath lives in a light breeze and dies in a still coffret.”

Joloobo] “Uh… yea… I suppose you would be right, in some weird way… but who am I to say anything be weird. ”

] As you are traveling the roadway, you notice up ahead a small structure off the side of the way. It appears to be shrine. As you get closer, you see there is a walkway of paving stones from the roadway up to a rounded alter and a large table in front of it. The table is overflowing with coins and gems and other items of values. You estimate there must be near a thousand in gold pieces alone. The overall wealth just sitting out here must be ten times that.

Joloobo] “What’s this now? Who left all this gold just lying about?” I walk closer to inspect it further.

] You see markings around the arch-like surface of the shrine. They appear to be carvings of several different types of language, some are just pictograms.

Joloobo] “Looks like an alter of some kind? But who would let all this wealth go to waste. Look here, this gem must be worth several hundred gold.”

Valea] “Strange place for an altar yes? But this one thinks it is bad mojo to touch the offerings of another.”

] Argathen “I’ve seen these before, they are all over the wilderness places but occaisionally they are found roadside. Travelers Blessings they are called.”

] Ariola “I remember our nanny telling me stores of Travelers Blessings. Clerics of a long ago temple in Tethyr enchanted dozens of Shrine Stones with powerful magic. The presence of all this wealth is a fairly sure indicator of the power of the stone. Let us see.” Ariola walks over and tosses a single gold piece to the mound. There is a warm glow of light around the stone which rises and hovers for a moment before it zips towards Ariola and flows into her torso. She receives 9 Temporary HP and the Boon Guidance. “Ahh, that feels nice.” She says. “See, this one is still working.”

Yisi] “What a wonderful thing! I’ve never imagined such a marvel. Does it matter how large your offering?”

] Argathen “Just judging by the items left as offerings, I’d say that is a likely bet.”

Yisi] I dig out 20 gold pieces and offer them on the shrine

2d8 Temporary HP = 7

1d8 Blessing = 5

] Again, there is a warm glowing light that lifts from the Shrine Stone and plunges into your chest Yisi. Floating in front of you are 3 small stones. The hang there for a moment and then drop to the ground.

Yisi] “Curious. Look – it gave me three pebbles… I wonder what they do?” I reach down and pick them up.

] Upon contact, you instantly know what they do… These stones can be thrown up to 60ft as a ranged attack. It does not require much strength or accuracy. If you can see the target, the stone will hit it and deliver 2d6 Bludgeoning dmg. The magical charge of each stone renews daily.

Yisi] I explain aloud what suddenly and magically know about the stones.

Joloobo] “Wow! How much did you offer? I’m going to double that, no triple it… and see what happens!” I put 60 gold down at the altar.

2d8 Temporary HP 12

2d12 Blessing table 3  9 Magic Vestment) & 9 (Bears Endurance)

] Again the warm light floods you. You have advantage on Con checks for 24 hours and your AC is raised by +1 for 24 hours. A magical candle appears floating in front of you Joloobo. It hangs for a moment and then drops.

Joloobo] I try to catch it.

1d20 Slight of hand 11 +4 = 15 [Success]

] You catch the candle successfully. As soon as you touch it, you know it is a Candle of Invocation with 4 hours of burning time. It’s alignment is Lawful Good.

Joloobo] “Wow! What a boon! Remind me to light it if we get into a scrap.”

Valea] “This one shall see what the stone wishes her to have.” I put 50 gp on the altar.

2d8 Temporary HP 16

2d12 Blessing Table 6 (Sanctuary) & 12 (Owl’s Wisdom)

] A warm glowing light rises and fills you with vital energy Valea. In front of you, a golden shield appears and hovers for a moment.

Valea] I take hold of the shield.

] You instantly know this is a Spellguard Shield.  Its value is beyond anything you can imagine ever possessing (60k).

Valea] “A Shield! And a fancy one at that… Now Valea will just have to learn how to use it. Valea’s mind tells her it is a Spellguard Shield. Very fancy no?” I look over the youngest Wwaldur sybling. “Hey pup… have you had fighting practice with a shield?”

] Tolvathir “Well yes. I may not be a very good teacher, but I can try to show you what I know.”

Valea] “Later pup…  you show Valea later. For now, you carry heavy shield. If dragon attacks, I watch how pup fights with it yes”

] Tolvathir “I would be honored to carry it into battle.”

] Argathen “Well you should be Tolvathir. That Spellguard Shield is worth 50, maybe 60 thousand gold in any market. I imagine Valea would be able to sell it for 80 or 90 in Waterdeep.”

] Tolvathir “Oh! That is heavy. I dare not get a scratch on it then. Valea, I fear to carry such a valuable item for you. Perhaps it would be best if it stays with its owner.”

Valea] “This one agrees with you. Shield best stay with its new owner now…. Tolvathir. Valea will still watch you fight with it yes?”

] Tolvathir “You cannot be serious! You are just giving me this shield?”

Valea] “Valea did not even know she had a shield just minutes ago. She will not miss one now. But a pup who knows how to fight with a shield will fight better now yes? Fight well pup and you will deserve fancy shield.”

] Ariola “The Wwaldyrs will not forget your generosity. I hope you will not regret the gift.”

Valea] “Valea has not learned this thing… regret. Neither should she wish to learn. ”

] The six of you continue traveling East on the Tethir Road. After several hours you begin to see what looks like farmlands up in the hills. There are many sections of the land where you can see vines hanging on tressels. Before long, you come across a small turn-off and a sign which reads “Treyvigg Winery and Monastery”

Yisi] I halt the horses just after turning into the lane. “It appears we have arrived friends. ” I say to Argarthen, Ariola and Tolvathir. I give them the remaining 50 gold pieces.  “The remainder of your payment, as agreed. I expect you could likely stay at the monastery if you so desire, or however you wish to proceed. We consider the job done.”

] Argathen says “It seems silly taking another 50 gold after you gifted Tolvathir with so much.”

Valea] “Tolvathir was not included in the original agreement, and so the gift has nothing do with that no?”

Yisi] “Agreed. Tolvathir was a guest on the journey, not a paid guard. Paid guards should be paid for a job well done.”

] Ariola “Thank you. Whether we might have a roof tonight does not matter… we shall accompany you the rest of the way to the gates of the monastery. It would appear to be some distance still. ”

] You continue North through the Umar foothills. The sun is shining brightly on the peaks of Small Teeth just in front of you. The land you are crossing is varied. There are large sections of forest that appear to be well groomed with walking trails winding through them. There are also large areas of grassy fields. You notice that some of the areas have curious swaths of red grass among the green and browning. You begin to see more an more tressels supporting large grape vines and a number of workers among them.

Yisi] “A poet once wrote: ‘ I bring an unaccustomed wine    To lips long parching, next to mine,   And summon them to drink.”

Valea] “What kind of wine is that?”

Joloobo] “A very special kind I’m sure…”

Yisi] “yes, I suppose that would be right”

] You being to see a lot more workers in the field. Most are human or half-elves. There are a few elderly but mostly younger men and women. They are tending the vines, tilling soil and other such farming activities. Some of the notice you and give a wave or a nod – it seems no surprise to have strangers riding through. As you are passing near by a small group loading empty crates onto small cart, suddenly a huge shadow passes just overhead. Valea, you notice something odd about the shadow, something the others do not notice, but before you can place what is odd about it, a large winged creature lands talons first on one of the workers. It has immense wings still spread out as it drives it antlers into the chest of the human man it crashed down upon. It is goring him, apparently trying to open his rib cage.

Joloobo] I pull out my blowgun and rush to get within range behind the winged beast.

2d20a Attack 19 +6 = 25 [Hit] Dmg 3 +1 Force

] The Peryton seems to not notice the attack but keeps at the poor victims chest.

] Tolvathir runs behind you and attempts to attack the winged monstrosity with his scimitar [()] and is successful, doing 5 damage. The Peryton turns and attacks Tolvathir [()] He expertly blocks the slashing talon with the golden shield but leaves himself open to be struck with the birds antler. (9 /2 = 4 damage)

[Initiative]

Yisi] I use a bonus action to inspect the strange creature for any vital point vulnerabilities

1d20 Medicine (DC 18) 18 +3 = 21 [Success – you have advantage on your next attack]

Yisi] I think I see nice spot to slide my Trisula in and slow the beast down.

2d20a Attack 9 +7 = 16 [Hit] 5 +5 = 10

] The winged stag bellows with a piecing howl [()] it turns towards you Yisi but it does not take flight. Tolvathir circles to flank and attack. [()] and does another 4 damage. Argathen releases an arrow [()] and does 3 damage.

Joloobo] I use both of my psychic blades, throwing them from my current position

1d20 Attack 3 +4 = 7 [Miss]

1d20 Attack 16 +4 = 20 [Hit] Dmg 5

] Your first blade flies overhead but the second sinks into the feathered stag and then disappears.

Valea] I take the other flank and unleash every attack I’ve got

2d20a Attack 9 +7 = 16 [Hit] Dmg 5 +5 = 10

2d20a Attack (Flurry) 13 +7 = 20 [Hit] Dmg 6 +5 = 11

2d20a Attack (Flurry) 19 +7 = 26 [Hit] Dmg 6 +5 = 11 + flowing fury bonus 7 +5 = 12

] Your Basto stick blurs as you strike the Peryton over and over with graceful ease. It  crouches for a jump away but you bring your final blow down into its skull and it collapses to the ground in a spit of feathers.

Valea] “Help, over here!” I run over to the worker who was attacked. “Does he live? Yisi look, does he live?”

Yisi] I inspect the victim of the Peryton.

1d20 Medicine 6 +3 = 9 [Fail]

] There is a large amount of blood and the workers chest has been severly damaged. If he yet has any life in him, you cannot tell. The other workers have started to gather around.

Yisi] “I can find no life in him. I don’t know how to help him now.” I look to those around us.

] One of the workers says. “I know his brother. I will take his body to him.” Another thanks you all, especially the cat lady with the long tail and the deadly stick in her hands. A third also thanks you and mentions that this was the second victim this tenday. Just a couple of days ago, a woman was found dead with her chest ripped open and her heart missing but since no one saw the actual attack, there have been outrageous rumors flying around the farm about a vicious killer among them. “Now we know…” They say, “this beast must have taken her heart and her life from her.”

Joloobo] The event, and the mention of a missing heart sparks something in my memory [Nature Check DC 13]

1d20 Nature 13 +6 = 19 [Success]

Joloobo] “I recall something about a beast like this. When their mate is ready for, well, mating… the sire attempts to impress the female with a bloody heart. I suppose she turned down the first one, or maybe she liked it so much… the male thought to repeat the performance. I don’t know if their blood is of any value but I will harvest it anyway just in case.”

Valea] “Gnomey is saying this killing was just animal instinct then?”

Joloobo] “This here be ordinary animal… so probably no ordinary instinct.”

Yisi] “Joloobo is right, this is no beast and no bird, but some twisted concoction of both. Destruction is warranted. So Joloobo… do you think there is another close by then?”

Joloobo] “Likely yes. And if my memory is strong the females are the larger and stronger of the strange species.”

Valea] “This one is anxious to speak with Elder Arrodonn of these things.”

] You leave the workers and continue your way up the windings hills towards the monastery. A mile or two later you see a village on your right. It is made of six longhouses arranged in a circle. The longhouses are stone structures with thatched roofs and likely sleep about 40-50 people each. You see a few people among the long houses, all dressed in the same red and brown clothing as the workers you saw earlier. Another half mile uphill and you come to a cliff wall where the trail end. There is a large stable at the base of the wall. There are a few other wagons and half-a dozen horses being cared for by workers in red and white garments. One of them runs up to you as you halt your horses.

] It is a young looking half elf with black hair and brown skin. “Greetings visitors. I am Aide Skylen. Allow me to care for your horses? You can continue up the monastery just through there.” he points to a crevasse in cliff wall. “It’s a bit of a climb, but the way is safe.”

Yisi] “Before we go, can I ask about lodging for our friends here? We hired them as guards to protect us and I would see them sleep well tonight. Elder Arrodonn was only expecting two of us.”

] Aide Skylen “Of course. We have plenty of room in our village quarters for overnight guests. You can share our forenight meal and if you feel the need, there is a warmspring where you can wash off the road. Allow me to secure your horses and I will get you settled.”

] Argathen “We extend our thanks Skylen. I’m certain my sister here will delight in a bath, and she would probably be happier if I did as well.” He turns to you. “Yisi, Valea – it has been a pleasure to be your protectors. I hope your time here is well spent.”