Wardens of Heroes Gate

Elder Arrodonn Returns

] Four Tendays have passed. The Daystar no longer lingers as long in the sky and colors of the Wealdath have begun to brighten. The three of you have spent your time at Treyvigg monastery well, gaining skills and experience as well as friends and allies. You have grown to love and respect the blind sworddragon, Olilrasi, and she has become very attached to you. In recent days, she has begun to be able to hear you walking and recognize you each by your unique gait. She often calls a greeting and waves at you from surprising distances even though she cannot see.

] You have only one tenday left in Treyvigg Monastery before you begin your journey back to Song Moon Temple with Teacher Solomvar’s Summertide Rose wine. Your daily lessons with the monastery’s Guide teachers are productive and enjoyable. Each of you have learned new Feats.

] Yisi, you have learned the Keen Defender feat:

When taking the Dodge (or Patient Defense) and you are attacked within melee range, an attack of opportunity is possible. If the attack succeeds, the damage is halved. If the attack fails by 5 or more, you gain an attack of opportunity with your Reaction.

You have also spent much time in practice with your poetry and your calligraphy skills and you now have double-profiency with the Calligraphers Supplies. You have also spent many hours with with the monastery’s head scribe, Guide Greenhill. The aging Genasi has taught you how to make various types of ink, including common colored ink, waterproof ink, invisible ink and even a few basics on using special materials to create enchanted ink – although you have much training to go before you can effectively write your poetry with enchanted ink.

] Valea, you too have learned the Keen Defender feat from your daily participation in lessons. Additionally, you have spent waking hours every forenoon practicing flow forms on the overlook with Guide Dawndra. You have learned the Heavens Orbit feat. This feat enhances your ki generation. If you spend at least 30 minutes in flow form practice during the early hours, you gain additional ki points equal to proficiency bonus.

The extra energy from your Heavens Orbit practice has allowed you to spend the hours after lessons training with Fable. She has taught you the Fierce Mobility feat:

Focusing ki to bolster your speed gives you additional benefits to your movement. On your turn as a Bonus action, you may spend one ki point to activate and start concentrating on Fierce Mobility.

Your speed increases by 10 feet while Fierce Mobility is active.

Dash becomes a Bonus Action while Fierce Mobility is active. While dashing, difficult terrain doesn’t cost you extra movement on that turn.

You can easily move through a dangerous melee. You do not provoke attacks of opportunity while Fierce Mobility is active.

For every ten feet of your movement speed you use on your turn, you may add a d4 to the damage of your next successful strike.

Fierce Mobility is active for a minute or until you take any damage.

] Joloobo, you have spent most of your time over the last 4 tendays out in the Vale of Soxolone. You have been training under Guide Cawtris Wildpath, a Half-elf from the eastern Yuirwood forest. She has taught you much about tracking, trapping and hunting as well as reading the signs of nature and weather. You have gained the Survivalist feat. Wisdom is increased by +1, you gain an extra proficiency in Survival skill and the Nature skill. You also have advantage on all Dexterity (Stealth) checks when in an outdoor setting.

Guide Wildpath has helped you in tracking the Fire Troll’s activity. Twice since you entered the mining tunnels beyond the cliff wall crevasse, you have discovered fresh tracks. It appears to be doing some hunting of its own. You found evidence of a deer that had been fed upon like a beast might, but with scorch marks on its hide. You have been trying to devise a method of trapping the fire troll as it leaves the mountain.

] It is shortly before the forenight meal when Aide Camarie approaches you in the courtyard with two Moon Elves. She introduces them as Elder Arrodon and Elder Thaola.

] Elder Arrodon “I am pleased that Solomvar sent his favorite students to us. I hope your stay has been pleasant and fruitful?”

Yisi] I bow to both elders. “Indeed it has Elder Arrodon, thank you.”

Valea] Also bowing… “This is sad to think of our departing in a tenday. Teacher Solomvar will surely be awaiting our return, and a fresh keg of wine, otherwise… Valea would extend her time with you.”

] Elder Arrodon “Solomvar should not be without his wine.” He says smiling. “But you are welcome to return to us anytime you like.” He turns to Elder Thaola. “Thaola, I believe we have a special batch to share with Solomvar?”

] Elder Thaola “Yes, we should share some of the Bright Bracer. How is Solomvar? I’ve not seen him since… well, since a long time ago.”

Valea] “Teacher Solomvar is well. We were honored that he chose us to visit you. He extends the same offer to your students.”

] Elder Arrodon “Yes, of course. I will confer with the other elders and select two students to return with you.”

] Olilrasi comes running up. “May I be considered father? Please?”

] Elder Arrodon “Rasi! How I have missed you!” He steps in and embraces the blind white dragonborn. “Of course you may be considered. Have you been well?”

] Olilrasi “Yes father, except for missing you. Yisi and Valea have become friends. Oh, and Joloobo too…. When he is not playing in the Vale”

Joloobo] “Nice to be an afterthought if nothing else.” I try to add a quick smile … afraid my quip might be taken too sharply.

] Elder Arrodon “Joloobo, I am pleased to meet you as well. You do not strike me as a student of the Song Moon Temple.”

Joloobo] “That is probably because I am not. Though I’m not saying would not like to be, that is, no offense intended. I mean…”

Yisi] “Joloobo the Troll-Hunter became a fast friend on our way here. We ran into some trouble with forest trolls within the Wealdath and he joined the conflict just in time.”

Elder Arrodon] “Troll-Hunter? Strange profession for a gnome, though you do not seem a typical sort of gnome do you?”

Joloobo] “The Wealdath has been plagued with trolls these last few years, I am merely protecting my home. And, I suppose, making some coin in the process. You seem to have your own trouble with a troll in the vale. I’ve been trying to find a way to track it and trap it.”

] Elder Arrodon turns to Aide Camarie “A troll in the Vale of Soxolone? This is the first I am hearing of this?”

Joloobo] “Not just any troll good ser. You have a fire troll hunting in your peaceful forest. It seems to have developed a taste for deer. Comes from a crevasse in the cliff wall it does. Can’t say for sure what it means… but I would hazard a guess of molten areas under the Small Teeth again.”

] Elder Arrodon “Yet more trouble from the depths. Thank you for your efforts Joloobo. Guide Wildpath should be informed.”

Joloobo] “Indeed she is Ser. Cawtris has been helping me track the vale. She knows what I know and then much more.”

] Elder Arrodon “Good then. We shall keep the troll on the list of troubles then.” he turns to you Yisi. “Young Adorinn… You bear your fathers strength well.”

Yisi] “You knew my father?”

] Elder Arrodon “Yes. I spent many years with both of your parents in facts. Vhann and Vina were revered among us and I was honored to call them friends.” He looks down at the Trisula along your outer thighs. “Your weapons are strikingly similar to your fathers sword. How did you come upon them?”

Yisi] “The Trisula were my fathers, I am told.” I pull them out and offer them to Elder Arrodon. “They are all I have to know him by. You say he also had a sword?”

] Elder Arrodon inspects the weapons but does not touch them. “Yes. It was precisely the shape only much larger. The very same needle points. I dare say, the same amazing Black Mithril material. I can only guess that these two were once one, or Vhann’s sword had children of its own. Amazing.”

Yisi] “Can you tell me anything of what happened to my parents?”

] Elder Arrodon “We last shared company long before you were born. I imagine Solomvar has already told you all that I might know. They received call from Arvandor to hurry to its defense. The realm still stands so they were successful, but no word has ever reached me of their fate. That both Vhann and Vina remain missing is actually an encouragement to me. It means they are likely together.”

Yisi] “Then… you think they may still yet live?”

] Elder Arrodon “The outer planes contain many mysteries. What passes as 30 years here in the material plane could be 30 days there, or 30 thousand. They indeed may still live. I am puzzled by your possession of Nightpiercer however. As I recall, the sword has been passed down within the Adorinn family for many generations. This weapon, or perhaps some form of it, has been wielded by many generations of your forebearers. It’s origins lost to time. Even the smithing method used to make the metal is unknown. I recall a battle with your father… a long time ago… we were overwhelmed and both of us nearly killed. An enemy wrestled Nightpiercer from your fathers hands as he lay nearly unconscious. I thought it my delusional imagination at the time…. But the needle sword turned into a lump of stone, as if it was refusing to be used by any other than an Adorinn. Have you ever had such an experience with it?”

Yisi] “I have not. But then… No one has ever tried to take them from me. But my Trisula are clearly enchanted. When I was young and my arms were much shorter, the tip would reach just to my elbow when held in defense. My arms are much longer today, but still… ” I flip the trisula around in both hands… “they match the length of my forearms perfectly. They also have the power to shroud me in darkness.” I demonstrate Shadow Shroud.

] Elder Arrodon “Now that is impressive. I witnessed your father perform feats which could only be explained by magic, but never so blatantly magic. I find myself curious… Does the darkness extend from the weapons themselves or from you? Stand still a moment and hold both out to one side.”

Yisi] I hold both Trisula in my left hand and hold them out to my left side.

] The Shadow Shroud moves to your left side, centered on the weapon.

] Elder Arrodon “Now hold your right arm out… Will it escape the shroud?”

Yisi] “I have never tried this… I find myself curious as well.”

] As you lift your right arm, the cloud of darkness expands to envelop all of you.

] Elder Arrodon “It is obviously attuned to you. Very powerful magic this is. It will likely grow stronger with you as you continue your training.”

Yisi] “Forgive me if I am being nosy… but at the mention of the Fire Troll, you said something about ‘more trouble from the depths’, what other kinds of trouble has their been?”

] Elder Arrodon “The very worst kind… to be honest. A dragon.”

Valea] “Dragon! Teacher Solomvar warned Valea to hurry in a direction away from any dragon.”

] Elder Arrodon “This is not just any dragon I fear… I just returned from Candlekeep trying to identify this particular blue dragon. Sharpfangs is an Ancient Dragon. But she has not been seen before the Spellplague. Most assume she did not survive it. I believe she is actually trapped in the solid rock beneath Treyvigg Monastery.”

] Elder Thaola “This should remain secret Arrodon.”

] Elder Arrodon “Of course you are right Thaola – on a number of levels, this must stay very quiet. Please do not share this knowledge?”

Yisi] “Understood. You have my word – it will remain confidential.”

Valea] “This one agrees to know nothing of what is said here.”

Joloobo] “Dragon you say? Trapped in solid rock? Who would believe me if I told them! But of course – secrets must sometimes be kept. Besides… with only one exception… these two are my only friends.”

] Olilrasi “Count me too! That is… count me among your friends Joloobo… and also – count me a silent witness to whatever is said in confidence. Father… who was Sharpfangs?”

] Elder Arrodon “Sharpfangs is just a nickname for very powerful Blue Dragon by the name of  Iryklathagra. It was once common knowledge that the Small Teeth is where she kept her lair. Many have gone looking for the lair in the past hundred years, surely it would contain an immense hoard. To my knowledge, it has never been found.”

Yisi] “But you say you found Sharpfangs in solid rock? Perhaps the lair is also buried in the same manner?”

] Elder Arrodon “Possible. No evidence to prove it so yet.”

Valea] “Valea is curious how such a beast was discovered within solid rock under a mountain? Magic?”

] Elder Thaloa “Ahh… well that is answer is going to lead to another secret, and one which we are not ready to share.”

] Aide Camarie “Pardon but forenight meal is ready.”

] The three of you follow Aide Camarie and the two Elders of Treyvigg Monastery into the dining hall and enjoy a hearty meal in silence. After forenight meal, what do each of you do with the evening?

Yisi]  I excuse myself to spend some time writing. The conversation about my parents has words swirling in my soul and desire to ink them.

Valea] I will seek out Fable and spend some time in practice with her.

Joloobo] I will spend some time with my new friend Rasi.

] The sun is already shielded by the surrounding mountains by the time you finish eating and there is about an hour of twilight ahead. Yisi spends several hours in the Temple to Dunea writing with Calligraphy set. Valea and Fable spend time in the courtyard. Fable reveals that she calls Ashabenford home and that her mother still lives there. She is a locally famous dancer in the Velvet Veils tavern. Fable says she likes to dance herself… but is uncomfortable with the idea of dancing in front of others… especially drunken others. While the two of you are talking, Guide Dawndra walks over.

] Dawndra “Greetings friends. Valea, I hear you and Yisi will be leaving us soon?”

Valea] “Just a tenday remaining. This one is sad to leave new friends, but home will feel like warm sands.”

] Fable “You will return to us won’t you? Say you will?”

Valea] “Valea will count days till she sees you all again. We were told by our teacher that one or more may return with us and visit our Song Moon Temple for a time.”

] Dawndra “Yes, I was to be a candidate to visit your home Valea, but I will be leaving on another journey. In fact, I expect to depart in a tenday – the same day you and Yisi head for home.”

Valea] “Where will Guide Dawndra go?”

] Dawndra “I travel to the far north, to a place called Icewind Dale. They have an annual competition there called the Frozenfar Fray Games. Teacher Riandyl was in the competion several years age and has encouraged me to test my skills against the mighty barbarians of the north.”

] Fable “I am certain you will win… but it does sound dangerous.”

] Dawndra “Just traveling to Tentowns is a dangerous endeavor I hear. The games bring clerics from The Winter Palace to heal those wounded – at least in the first two rounds of competition. The third round is… well… interesting…”

Valea] “What does white tower mean?”

] Dawndra “Do you know anything about hunting Frost Trolls?”

Valea] “This one does not… but our pocket-high friend Joloobo… he surely knows about Hunting Trolls. Talk with him and see.”

] Dawndra “I will indeed. The third round involves 3 days of hunting in the mountain ranges for a Frost Troll.”

] Fable “I’m so excited for you! What will you do with your winnings?”

] Dawndra “I will share them with my friend Fable on Rockwall.” She smiles. “And the rest of my home friends.”

Valea] “This one wishes you bright moons Dawndra. Valea wants to say also… thank you for being a teacher superb. This one will practice every day and make white tower proud to be her friend too.”

] Joloobo goes looking for Rasi and sees her practicing sword kata in the Backyard under a large tree. Before you get within 40 feet of her, she somehow senses your approach and sheathes her sword back into her walking stick. “Hi Joloobo!”

Joloobo] “Hi Rasi. I didn’t mean to interupt your practice.”

] Rasi “I have already practiced plenty today, but I’ve not spent any time with my friend Joloobo! How are you? How goes the hunt for the Fire Troll in the valley?”

Joloobo] “We have found more sign, but so far I’m unable to determine any patterns in its hunting. I believe it surfaces about once a tenday. This troll seems much smarter than the average troll, and larger too. From damage I’ve found on a few trees in its path it must be at least 13 feet high… over twice as tall as you and probably 4 or 5 times taller than me.”

] Rasi “Wow! What will you do if you find it?”

Joloobo] “I keep asking myself the same question. I don’t even know if I can extract blood from a fire troll… fire or acid are the main weapons against the trolls in my forest… I’m just guessing that this creature will not care about either. Without knowing where it is weak, or even if it has any weaknesses… I may be foolish to fight with it.”

] Rasi “Now that father, I mean… Arrodon, is back, he will think of something. I’m quite certain Soxolone does not want a Fire Troll wandering around his forest… they will find a way.”

Joloobo] “Yes, I am certain we will. Say… Rasi… did you mean what you said about calling you friend?”

] Rasi “Of course I did! ”

Joloobo] “I would like for you to call me friend also. Rayni says I need some friends.”

] Rasi “Rayni is certainly correct… Who is Rayni?”

Joloobo] “Rayni is… er… well…”

] Rasi interupts you and points over towards the northern cliff wall  “Wait… Someone is coming towards us. Who is that!? ” You see a female deep gnome running directly your way. She is carrying a long staff over her shoulder.

Joloobo] “It is a gnome, a deep gnome, coming from the storage shed.”

] Rasi pulls her sword from her cane. “On your guard, I sense something… I sense danger.”

Joloobo] “Let us see.” I begin to walk towards the deep gnome. “Greetings friend!” I yell towards her.

[()]

] Still about 60 feet away, the deep gnome pauses for a moment and drops the staff down to both hands. Behind you Rasi makes a loud gasping noise. Joloobo – you are struck with Arcane Bolt and take 26 damage (Massive Dmg). You feel like you took the entire blow with your face and the world around you begins to spin. Con Save

Joloobo]

1d20 Con Save 1 Crit fail

] You fall unconscious.

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