Wardens of Heroes Gate

The Vampire of Wayvern Silva

] The two of you are in Tentowns for the 9th annual Frozenfar Fray Games. Opening Ceremonies were held yesterday in Bryn Shander (which were, of course, interupted by a crowd brawl).  The two of you met when another victim of the Ice Rune Killer was discovered in the post-brawl crowd. The first event of the games, The Stones Throwdown, begins tomorrow in Dougans Hole, but as the small town does not allow competitors of the games to lodge within its limits, Easthaven is the central hub in between events, and the finish line for the final event.

] It is early and First Shadow is barely detectable. It is snowing light brittle flakes as the temperatures are well below freezing. You both found yourselves delightfully surprised to see each other waiting for the same transport sled. Kildar, you are joined by your mother, Rivereye, who is your acting armiger. Shent accompanies you Dawndra. Also on the transport sled with you are two human barbarians of the Tribe of the Tiger; Ellrrilka and Gornkolt. Ellrrilka is dark-haired but bright in disposition, and very talkative for the early hour. She is dressed in skins and furs and wears a distinctive thin white chain around neck. She carries no obvious weapon. Gornkolt, her husband, has been silent. He is similarly dressed and carries a large unadorned axe. Ellrrilka went on at some length about the time she has spent in training for the games ever since her father lost his life to a Frost Troll in the games two years before.

] The driver of the transport sled is a quiet middle-aged human named Freven. His son, Irlad, sits beside his father but turned around and facing you. The boy, who looks to be about 11-12 years, seems fascinated by all of you and listens closely to your idle conversations. He has his arms wrapped around a large water jug made of animal skins which sloshes with the movements of the sled. The two axe-beaks pulling the transport are large and fast and you are making good time along the Eastway towards Easthaven.

] As the forest along the southern side of the Eastway begins to thin out, Shent looks concerned.

] Shent “Driver! You have left the trailway. Good Mead is ahead, we are going to Easthaven.”

] Freven mumbles something about a detour. The forest just to the right is thick and pitch dark beyond the outer line of trees. You notice Freven nudge the boy Irlad who responds by pulling out a small knife and stabbing the water skin. Blood begins to spray out as he squeezes the skin – he is intentionally showering all six of you with its contents. Before you can react, the young son leaps from the transport sled into the snow. Freven turns the axe-beaks directly towards the dark of the forest and then leaps overboard himself.

] Rivereye “A snare! Quickly, jump!” She leaps off of the speeding sled.

Kildar] I follow Rivereye in jumping away and into the snow.

] Seconds later, the rest of you are wrapped in utter darkness, as if a magic light barrier was crossed. The axe-beaks panic and swerve the sled into a large tree (Dexterity Saving Throw)

Dawndra]

[()]

] You jump free just as you feel the sled turn. You hear the crash and the splinter of wood with the loud grunt of impact in the black dark.

Dawndra] “Shent!”

Kildar] I run into the black after them when I hear the transport crash. “Dawndra! Shent!”

Dawndra] Frustrated by the dark, I remember I have the ring and cast Light, targeting a strap of my backpack.

] The strap begins to glow brightly and you see broken pieces of the transport sled scattered before a large tree. The axe-beaks and what remains of the sled are gone. Shent lies just beyond the tree unmoving. Ellrrilka groans and is trying to raise herself up.

] Ellrrilka “Gornkolt?” She looks around her. “Gornkolt!”

Kildar] “He was not with us. Look around, perhaps he was thrown farther?”

Dawndra] I go help Shent [Medical Check]

] He is bleeding from the head but you cannot tell the extent of his injuries. You wrap a bandage around his head to slow the bleeding.

Kildar] I light a torch and search the surrounding area.

] There is no sign of the human barbarian. You can clearly make out the tracks of the broken sled as it was dragged deeper into the wood.

Kildar] “He must have been trapped in the sled somehow. This way! Rivereye, help me search!”

] Rivereye “Let the barbarian search for herself. We are not beholden.”

Kildar] “Mater! You can either get beholden or like just wait outside for us.”

] Rivereye “Stubborn offspring… fine! I will help.”

Dawndra] I lift Shent into my arms and carry him. “Gornkolt!”

] The five of you explore deeper into the wood, following the tracks in the surprisingly soft gloam of the forest floor. Within minutes you see the transport sled ahead of you. Reaching it, you find both axe-beaks slain – large slashes have opened their throats wide. Within the crippled sled, you find no sign of Gornkolt.

Kildar] “Whoa! Something giant tore into these beasts! Just look at the size of those claw cuts! Baffle-bats…”

Dawndra] “You think bats did this?”

Kildar] “No Roog… well like maybe like giant bats… do giant bats have like giant claws? These cuts are from super-sharp like talons… like from a hawk or…”

] There is a large swooping sound over head and an ear-splitting screech of an owl.

Kildar] “… Owl!”

] Giant white and brown owls with glowing red eyes drop down upon you and attempt to grab you with their massive talons. [Dexetrity Save]

Dawndra]

] You leap out of the way of the attack but drop Shent in the process. His unconscious body barely touches ground before another giant owl sweeps him up and carries him into the dark above.

Dawndra] “Shent!”

Kildar] “What runk!”

[()]

] You duck the swooping attack successfully. Rivereye is not so quick – she is lifted into the air. You hear a loud snapping sound and see Rivereye falling out of the canopy, a giant talon in her hand. She lands awkwardly and cries out as her leg snaps in the landing.

[()]

] Ellrrilka evades the capture with a dive and rolls up to a fighting stance, her white chain swinging in her right hand. As another giant owl closes to grab her, she lashes with her chain. [()] Lighting sparks through it and strikes the flying beast in its underbelly. The creature falls to the ground stunned.

Kildar] I bring Titans Tooth against the stunned monster

] You slam your maul into the shoulder of the Giant Owl. The creature ceases to be stunned and attempts to take flight. [()] With two massive wing beats, it is lifted and flying out of sight. The other owls have disappeared into the dark above you.

Dawndra] “They took Shent! Which way did they fly? We have to follow!”

] Ellrrilka “They must have Gornkolt too. I saw one fly in that direction, deeper into the forest.”

Kildar] “Mater! Can you walk?”

] Rivereye “Do you see my shin bone sticking out of my leg? Help me reset it!”

Kildar] “Heinous wound!” I hand my torch to Ellrrilka and attempt to restore the leg

] Rivereye refuses to cry out, but instead passes out from the pain. The bone is returned and you are able to bind it with bandages.

Dawndra] “Here. Use this on the wound.” I open the Liniment Tin.

] The bleeding stops as the magical liniment heals the fractured leg. Rivereye remains unconscious however.

Kildar] “Whoa! Thanks Roog! That stuff is like magic!” I lift Rivereye over my shoulder. “Now we should like go find Shent and Gornkolt yea?”

] Ellrrilka “How do you track things that fly? In the pitch dark?”

Dawndra] “Shent would be able to track them no doubt.”

Kildar] “Even nasty-big Owls gotta ka-ka right? Maybe we can find some kack on the ground and follow it?”

Dawndra] “That is an idea. Although I have another. I might be able to smell them… give me a moment.” [Perception Check]

Result Table

] You recognize the smell of the Giant Owls which just attacked you and have some confidence that the strongest of the scent is coming from the West directly – deeper into the forest.

Dawndra] “This way.” I lead directly West

] As you are walking, you hear several other creatures in the black around you. Some sound like small chittering things but you also hear some sounds which likely belong to larger animals. Ellrrilka seems strangly at ease and keeps trying to start idle conversation.

] Ellrrilka “I do hope we find Gornkolt alive. Really do.  And your friend too of course. It’s not like a can’t live without Gornkolt. It’s not even that I love him… well not overly much… I only married him because it was my fathers dying wish and how does a girl say no to that?”

Dawndra] “You said your father was in the Frozenfar Fray Games two years ago?”

] Ellrrilka “Yes, I was his armiger for the games. We made it through the first two events. We even found a lair of an Ice Troll with ease. We didn’t count on there being more than one of them and we were outmatched. With his last words, he gave me his Lightning Chain and asked that I marry Gornkolt, the son of his best friend. Truth is, we worth both set to unearth the void that day. I was only a few hours behind my father. If it wasn’t for a happenstance Half-Drow seeking a place to hide herself… I would have been on my way to dust by now. Can you imagine? A Half-Drow helping the Tribe of the Tiger?”

Kildar] “I’ve never met a Half-Drow… don’t think I have anyway… how do you like… know it is a half-drow and not a whole one?”

] Ellrrilka “Oh easy! Their skin is not so dark-purply and their ears are not so sharp.”

Dawndra] “Hey friends… The forest around us is warning us to be on guard. Perhaps we can chat once we get to the tavern in Easthaven?”

Kildar] “You are right on Roog. This is no time for chat.”

] You continue deeper into the dark forest for nearly an hour without any confrontations from the creatures watching from beyond the reach of your light. Along the way, Rivereye awoke and was surprised to find she could walk on her now unbroken leg without pain. You eventually reach an area of the forest where the tree trunks around you seem twice in size if not more. Dawndra, you find the scent-track of the giant owls to be particularly strong in this area of the forest.

Dawndra] “I think we may be close. The scent is quite strong here.”

Kildar] “Look around for owl kack. If they nest above we should see evidence on the ground.”

Dawndra] I look up into the canopy to see if I can spot anything.

] In the dim reaches of your light, you notice tree branches in odd formations, hanging between the massive trees in odd angles. There is not enough light to understand what you see.

Dawndra] “Find a rock, something we can throw upward a ways.”

] Ellrrilka hands you rock about the size of an apple. “Here, will this do?”

Dawndra] “Perfect.” I cast Light on the rock and then throw it up into the canopy of the forest.

] As the light travels upward, you see a massive nest made not from twigs and leaves, but whole branches and trunks. It looks like beavers lodge hoisted into the forest canopy. It extends in all directions beyond the reach of your light.

Kildar] “Whirly nest. Look at the size of it!”

Dawndra] “I think we are here.”

] Rivereye “But how are we going to get up there? It must be fifty feet or more!”

Kildar] “Get ya some wings Mata! We must find a way up and so we will.”

Dawndra] “It would appear the ideal home for giant owls, but do we think owls could have made a nest so massive? I cannot even imagine how it was done. There is surely more to this place than an owls nest?”

Kildar] “What a righter are you Dawndra! ”

] Ellrrilka “Owls don’t even build nests… from what I know… they find ’em. They nest in pockets and holes, in places they discover – the nests left behind by other raptors for example.”

Dawndra] I throw the glowing rock up again to see if there is more to learn.

] You see only more of the same. It is an amazing feat of engineering. You cannot tell for certain, but it appears to be very old, perhaps even ancient.

Dawndra] “This was not built by owls or hawks. Look how ancient the structure appears. My best guess is that sentient folk with access to powerful magic made this. Perhaps magic still holds it in place. Let’s search all of these large tree trunks carefully, perhaps there is a stair or a portal we can use.” [Investigation Check]

Kildar]

] You find nothing helpful. No stairways, ladders, ropes or magical portals.

Kildar] “Well… we better start climbing.”

] Ellrrilka “Now I wish I had just let that dretchin owl capture me.”

Dawndra] “Ellrrilka – you may be exactly right. What if we got ourselves captured? Assuming we are in the right place, and assuming Shent and Gornkolt are still alive and being held – the owls just might carry us right to them!”

] Rivereye “Not me! I’m not getting captured on purpose, that sounds like a terrible idea!”

Kildar] “Where’s your adventure Mata!? Where’s your courage?!”

] Rivereye “Where’s your sense boy?”

Dawndra] “Maybe I spoke too quickly. We should try climbing first, and failover to more risky measures. We have enough rope between us I think… if one could make the climb and secure a rope for the rest of us… ”

Kildar] “Hand me a rope… ” I start climbing a tree that appears to be along the edge of the nest-like structure. [Athletics Check]

Roll Table

Kildar]

] You climb 50 feet up, digging and clawing into the thick bark of the massive tree. When you reach the structure you secure the end of the rope. Lifting the glowing rock, you can see that the nest is even larger than you thought. You see no way inside the structure from where you are, but it appears possible to walk on top of it.

] Ellrrilka “I’ll be right behind you Dawndra.”

Dawndra] I start climbing the rope [Athletics Check]

] You quickly make your way up the rope and reaching the top, you join Kildar on its surface. Ellrrilka begins climbing [()] and soon reaches the top. In the light of the torch left on the ground, you can see Rivereye begin her climb [()] but just overhead you hear the slight swoosh of wings. Two Giant Owls attack. [()] Massive talons nearly rip into you Dawndra. [()] The other goes after Ellrrilka, slashing open a shoulder.

Dawndra] I ready my ice pike and take a defense stance for the next attack. (Dodge Action)

] Ellrrilka has her chain already in hand when the owl sweeps back down for a second attempt on her life. [()] Her footing on the oddly built structure is awkward however, and she is once again sliced by talons. The next attack focuses on Dawndra but misses, giving you an opening for reaction attack

Dawndra] “I used to thing Owl’s were pretty!”

Kildar] I leap attack the owl going after Dawndra

] The Giant Owl staggers under successive blows and lands on the roof-top of the nest, one wing hanging awkwardly at its side.

Dawndra] I unleash full attacks

] The Giant Owl squeals in pain as your two-handed needle drives repeatedly into its feathered chest. The red glow of its eyes fades as it falls.

] Ellrrilka “Come down here you dretchin’ bird!” She attacks [()] and strikes the owl as it nears. This time she is spared more bleeding.

Kildar] “Remind me to learn how to shoot a bow, would you?” I rush to stand next to Ellrrilka and ready an attack for the next swoop.

Dawndra] I do the same, closing ranks with my back to the others. (Dodge Action)

] Ellrrilka “It looks like it is hesitating.”

Kildar] “It should be… I’m gonna crack its pretty skull wide open!”

] The Giant Owl circles overhead a few times and then disappears into the surrounding black.

Kildar] “Yeah, fly home to your mama-bird!” I remember my mother is still climbing up the rope and go to the edge.”Come on up Mata, it has left.”

] You look over the edge and see only blackness. The torch on the ground below appears to have gone out.

Kildar] “Mata!? Where are you?… Dawndra, toss me that light rock.”

] Holding the light over the edge, you see the rope dangling empty. Dim light reaches the ground but there is no sign of Rivereye.

Dawndra] “There must have been another owl. Let us hope she has been taken to where Shent and Gornkolt are.”

] Ellrrilka “Over here, I think I found an entrace.”

] You find Ellrrilka standing over a small hole carved into surface of oddly stacked branches. With light you see winding stairs going down inside the structure but it is quite small, designed for folk half your height.

Kildar] “I don’t think I am gonna like, fit.”

Dawndra] “I doubt any of us would. But now we know some truth… this thing is more than an owl’s nest. That seems an uncomfortable fit even for most Dwarves… likely it was built for Halflings or Gnomes. Let’s keep looking.”

Kildar] “Watch your step Roogs, this surface is surplus tricky.”

] You explore further on until you see a slight flickering red light ahead. In what seems like the center of the massive nest is a large aperture. Looking down inside, you see what appears to be an amphitheater of some sort, with small seating circling around a center platform about 20 feet down from the rafters on which you currently standing. On the platform is a long table circled with candles that burn a strangley red color. You recognize Gornkolt strapped to the table and struggling to free himself. Standing next to him is a creature which looks like an owl with humanoid legs and . It is much smaller than the owls you have fought – perhaps 5 feet tall.

] Owlin “Welcome strangers… You are just in time for the feast.” She plunges his small beak into the neck of Gornkolt and blood splashes across her feathered face.

] Ellrrilka “Gornkolt!”

] Three Giant Owls are suddenly overhead. The sweep down to attack you. [()] Kildar fends off their talons but Dawndra takes damage (7hp) from a slicing claw. They fly back out of reach and circle for another attack.

Dawndra] “We need to take away their advantage.” I grab one of the canopy rafters and attempt to swing myself down to the seating area. [Athletics or Acrobatics Check]

] You successfully land your jump down into the ampitheatre. The rafters extend over the seating enough to prevent the swooping attacks of the Giant Owls. Meanwhile, Gornkolt has gone still and the strange owl person is wiping her feathered face clean.

] Owlin “Ah! Desert has arrived early.”

Kildar] “Watch out below!” I copy Dawndra’s move

] You are not near as graceful, but you easily let your self down and drop to the seats from a hang.

] Owlin “Come my thralls, you may feast upon my leftovers while I entertain our new guests.

] Two of the Giant Owls fly down and land on the platform and begin pulling thin strips of meat from the body of Gornkolt. Beyond the disturbing sight, you notice on the far side of the arena Shent is trying to get your attention. Rivereye is chained to the floor alongside him.

] Owlin “Welcome to Fastpaws Mantle. I really shouldn’t be so kind… you did kill one of my pets. That was not very nice.”

Kildar] “Two! We killed two of your nasty pets! And we’re gonna kill the rest after you are dead!”

] The Owlin laughs demonstrably… “Are you now? You are a brash one… but I’m afraid you cannot kill what is already dead… but you can feed it. Looking at you now, so brash! …and so beautiful aren’t you goliath boy… I might just rather play with my food. Tell me charmer, have you ever wanted to live forever?”

Dawndra] She apparently likes to talk… so I try to buy some time to figure out our approach. “Who are you?”

] Owlin “I am wail of the night white child. I am the one that turns your blood cold and makes you piss your leg. My ancient name is Screaka Bomri, but you can call me your Dreadful Dismay… Yes, I rather like the sound of that.”

Kildar] “I will soon call you a smudge on Titans Tooth!” I rage.

] Screaka “Right to it then…” She picks up a silver flail – the spike-ball begins to glow red. “Fine fine fine Bronzie love. Though I really don’t like to play rough right after a meal, it gives me cramps.” She takes a step forward and is suddenly shrouded in a dark mist. It blows directly towards Kildar as if swept by a wind storm. [()] Screaka re-appears out of the mist and strikes Kildar with the flail (10hp dmg) and then vanishes again into mist. You hear her sharp laughter from the cloud as it drifts upwards and out of sight.

Kildar] “Not fair freak-beak! How can I smash mist? Get back here!”

Dawndra] It occurs to me Ellrrilka never dropped down. “Ellrrilka! We could use some help down here!” I circle the two Giant Owls in the center waiting for their next attack.

Kildar] I need to hit something… I charge the center and attack the feasting owls. (01)

] The Giant Owl sees your attack coming but fails to defend against Titans Tooth as it slams down directly into its skull, spitting feather and bone out in all directions. The beast crumples under your rage. The other Giant Owl attacks you [()] its talons ripping at your leg (8hp dmg)

Dawndra] I leap in behind to flank the other Giant Owl and attack with my ice pike

] Without your notice, Screaka, as a mist, has gathered overhead. She suddenly re-forms and drops down on Kildar, attacking with her glowing flail. [()] successfully (5 hp dmg)

Kildar] I return the blow while I still can

] You swing your maul at the vampire owlin, but she has stepped back into mist form. Both of you hear the breaking of a chain and quickly turn to see Rivereye has freed herself.

Kildar] “Mata!”

] The other Giant Owl attacks you as you are distracted [()] but you seem to barely notice the sharp talons (7hp dmg)

Dawndra] “I wonder what roasted Owl tastes like?”

] You spear deep into Giant Owl with a mighty thrust and circle to bring a bludgeoning blow with the butt end of your weapon. The Owl realizes it is now outnumbered and leaps to take flight [Opportunity Attack – Kildar]

Kildar] “Where you going birdy-boy?”

] You swing your maul but miss as the owl takes flight. Rivereye has nearly reached you when the mist cloud that is Screaka forms around her.  [()] The glowing flail strikes Rivereye from behind and she turns to retaliate, but Screaka has already flown out of reach.

] Screaka “Three against one… I think you are outnumbered friends… why don’t we make it four.” She throws a key down near Shent but it is just out of reach. “Opps, I always was a bad throw.” She disappears above the rafters.

] Shent “She is not what she seems! Escape if you can!”

Kildar] “Escape how? We are trapped in this wooden bowl!” I ready an attack action and look to the opening above.

Dawndra] I run over to help free Shent. I kick the key close enough to him and then ready a Dodge against further attack.

] Screaka walks to the edge of the overhanging roof and looks down on you. “The mouth breather is right, you are fairly well trapped even without the chains. You will soon tire, and I will soon be hungry again.” She makes a strange whistling noise from her oddly shaped beak-mouth and 6 shards of ice appear around her. They drop down into the ampitheatre and circle around the two of you

Kildar] “Ice Imps!” I take Titan’s Tooth to the closest one [3]

] “Don’t kill my charmer now minions… you can test him with pain of course… but save him for me!” You hear Screaka say from somewhere above as you crush one of the ice mephits with a downward slam. Before you can lift your maul back to you, the crystals remains of the minion begin to vibrate powerfully and a second later they explode (Dex Save)

Kildar]

] A blast of ice slivers spray out but you take only minimal damage. The remaining Giant Owl takes advantage of the distraction and attacks [()] but you are hyper-aware and its talons snag only air. It flies back out of the ampitheatre and lands beside Screaka. You hear it begin to make short piercing screeches as if raising an alarm.

Dawndra] I see Kildar surrounded by ice mephits and charge in to defend him, attacking the nearest to me (ice mephit 5)

] Your attack is devastating and the ice mephit vibrates and explodes (Dex save)

Dawndra]

] Shent has freed himself and you see him run past you and the ice mephits. As if anticipating some objection he yells… “I need my axe if I’m gonna be any help at all!” and you notice the iceforged Riftblade Battleaxe lies against the wall on the far side of the ampitheater. Kildar – you glance over at your mother and see her freeing herself from the chain around her leg. You notice a cloud of mist swarms around her [()] She cries out as Screaka forms behind her and slams the glowing hot spike-ball into her back.

Kildar] “Mata!”

] Screaka “Ahh… so the boy loves his mother… we can fix that.” [()] She drives her beak into Rivereye’s ribcage, seemingly delighting in the pain she causes. The screeching alarm overhead continues almost hypnotically.

] You lose sight of Rivereye as the entire area around you, Dawndra and the ice mephits is suddenly filled with thick fog and you cannot see even your hand at arms length. The fog shifts chaotically as a blast of cold air assaults you Dawndra (Dex save with disadvantage)

Dawndra]

] Another ice mephit (4) is suddenly behind you Kildar [()] it slashes at you but misses and then vanishes. Another (6) appears alongside you Dawndra [()] its sharp claws miss their strike as you jump away into the fog. The screeching bursts from the Giant Owl above you have stopped.

Kildar] “We have to get out of this smoke!” I run towards the direction I think I last saw Rivereye.

] After about 15 feet you are clear of the fog effect. You see Rivereye motionless on the ground where she was chained. Screaka is no longer in sight. Above you, there are more Giant Owls landing along the rim of the ampitheatre – more than 5 at least.

Dawndra] I attempt to escape the fog as well, moving the direction I last saw Shent.

] As you emerge from the heavily obscured area, you see two Ice Mephits going after Shent, both are within your reach and have their backs to you.

Dawndra] I attack the nearest (2)

] You drive the needle end through the back of one of the Ice Mephits but it does not vibrate and explode like the others, instead it appears to be stunned. Shent goes after the other (1) [()] but misses critically and misteps… stumbling towards you. The Ice Mephit rakes his back with its claws.

] Screaka suddenly appears about 20 feet overhead , she is flying in a tight circle. “You all have never fought together have you? What a downright slovenly display of confusion and chaos. I honestly expected more from you, but now I am getting bored.” She drops a glowing red stone down into the ampitheatre. It lands on the table in center stage and a concussing blast of energy sweeps out and strikes all of you. (Con Save)

Kildar]

Dawndra]

] All of you drop to the floor as your world blacks out.