Chapter
5: "Silverymoon"
May
3, 2003
Ramagi, Pedro Gil
Mon Macutay, DM
Dramatis
Personae
Amenrath
Sethnakhtehamen, Jackalwere Psychic Warrior, CG ©
by Myk Roman
Quinntalis "DeadBane" Galendale, Elven
Curst, Ranger, CG © by Jet
Malcolm Silverbrow, Irda Paladin of Bahamut, LG
© by Chris Cruz
Alliana, Gold Elf Wizard, NG © by Prixie Tan
Xian Puremind, Human Psion, © by Oliver Valencia
Tarion Gourn, Aasimar Fighter, NG © by Dindo
Moreno
Jakob Firehand, Human Monk-Wizard, LN © BY
Tony Cruz
Orel Rylyn'Tar, Half-Drow Monk, CG © by Aris
Antonio
Endrath Windhunter, Avariel Fighter , NG ©
by Erwin Nanez
*Also
Starring
Puchila,
Human Sorceress, CG (c) By Justine
Leo Gangrel, Human Fighter, CG (c) By Vier Tajonera
Co-Starring:
Vylareth
- drow scout of Vhaerun
Turlang - Great Treant of the High Forest
Gunthar Longtooth - Tree Ghost barbarian leader
Nataz - as himself
High Lady Alustriel of Silverymoon
Emma Moonblade
Rhistel - Undead Slayer Knight of Iyachtu Xvim
The
Portal
7th
of Tarsakh of the Storms, 1371DR (The Year of the Unstrung
Harp)
|
|
|
Warding
of the Dead: Malcolm crosses the Glyph-laden
room
|
Jakob
Firehand and Quintallis are both zapped by a ray of magical
energy. They immediately vanish. Meanwhile, Endrath appears
out of nowhere. He is oblivious to the events that transpired.
The party makes haste towards the portal and locate the
whereabouts of their lost friends.
They
successfully hurdle the "Warding of the Dead",
a magically trapped room filled with various Glyphs of
Warding placed upon carvings of undead. Tarion accidentally
triggers one of the glyphs. Both he and Vy'Lareth get
into an argument and throw puns and sarcasm at each other.
Malcolm stands between them and attempts to salvage civility
between the two.
Meanwhile,
Malcolm bravely cuts a path across the room to trigger
the least damaging of the glyphs. He steps on a "Lich"
and sets off a Flamestrike… he reels from fiery agony!
Vy'lareth,
using his ranger and magical skills, helps lead the party
to safety.
Soon,
the party discover a magical pool consecrated to the god
Shaundakul, (patron of travelers and portals). Alliana
initiates a prayer and offers a valuable item to Shaundakul.
Soonafter, she drinks from the pool and discovers that
it is the sweetest and most refreshing water she has ever
had.
The
other adventurers follow suit (except for Amen).
A
few moments later, our heroes are almost at their wits
end as they attempt to open the main doors leading to
the portal. (Kudos to Dindo and Erwin for solving the
"Balls and Balance" puzzle).
Best
Friends… and a scroll!
Beyond
the main doors, the party find Quinntallis, Jakob, Puchila
and Leo Gangrel. (the latter three are held prisoners
and suspended on pillars).
Quintallis
is shocked when he discovers that the Guardian of the
portal is none other than Rhistel, his best friend (during
the Time of Troubles. Both he and Rhistel have become
undead due to Myrkul's influence).
Apparently,
Rhistel has embraced his "True Destiny" and
has the powers to prove it. He tries to convince Quinntalis
to accept his "Destiny" and succumb to True
Death. Rhistel, now a Slayer Knight of Iyachtu Xvim (and
wielding a Greatsword of the Soulless) mentions that the
"Master" will be pleased if Quinntalis joins
their ranks
Rhistel
and his Bodaks gear up for a fight! Jakob is almost slain
by a Bodak death gaze.
The
rest of our heroes free the prisoners and join the ensuing
melee.
Out
of nowhere, Tarion is hit by a poisoned crossbow bolt.
Sapping him of his strength and greatly
 |
|
Vylareth
gets a "cheap shot" at Tarion
|
affecting
his combat prowess. He suspects (correctly) that the drow,
Vy'lareth, is behind the attack.
Meanwhile,
Malcolm and the others try to avoid the Bodak's deadly
gaze. The fight continues.
Rhistel
instinctively goes after Quinntalis. Quinntalis is mortally
wounded.
Jakob
quickly rushes to the ranger's aid. The rest keep Rhistel
occupied. Soon, most of the party members discover that
Shaundakul has granted them temporary, sacred powers to
aid them in this battle.
Quinntalis
uses Jakob's Troll Gut Rope and (with a lucky bow shot)
snares the sacred scroll from Rhistel.
Amen
and Tarion finally defeat the Bodak. A Mirror-Imaged Vy'lareth
reveals himself to Tarion. Tarion drops his swords and
"quickdraws" his composite longbow. His anger
for the drow swells to the limit when he discovers that
his Quiver of Ehllona is missing (along with ALL of his
arrows). He drops the bow and vents his anger on Vy'lareth
with his bare hands.
The
drow laughs off the crude attempt and teleports away!
Amen
delivers the deathblow to Rhistel as Malcolm and Alliana
finish the last Bodak.
The
battle finally over, they step through the portal and
appear in the High Forest.
Malcolm
releases the magical Quall Bird Token from Nym.
Farewells
Tarion
informs everyone that he is leaving the group as soon
as they reach Silverymoon. He claims that he felt betrayed
by the party's decision to associate with the drow. Malcolm
and the others try to reason with the Aasimar. Tarion
respectfully declines their requests for him to reconsider
his actions.
Meanwhile,
Endrath informs everyone that they are near the vicinity
of the legendary Grandfather Tree. He has several friends
within the sacred grove. The avariel flies off in advance
to announce their presence and seek passage and lodging
for the night.
At
this point, Puchila and Leo Gangrel also bid their farewells
and thank the Company for rescuing them from certain doom.
The
Grandfather Tree
Jakob
is surprised to find Orel as a guest of the Tree Ghost
tribe and the elves within the Grandfather Tree enclave.
He thought it best to follow "Dereth" as soon
as he heard about the murders. Apparently, he lost track
of Dereth and has since been the guest of Gunthar Longtooth
(barbarian leader of the Tree Ghosts).
After
a short audience with Gunthar, the party studies the Netherese
scroll they wrested from Rhistel. Amen explains the great
prophecy about the Anuaroch Cataclysm. Most are convinced
that somehow, Amen and the Company would play a vital
role in it. Tired and wounded, they rest and prepare for
tomorrow's long journey to Silverymoon.
Turlang's
Woods
 |
|
The
Great Treant, Turlang!
|
Warriors
of the Tree Ghosts and wood elven rangers escort the party
just within the borders of Turlang's Woods.
Here,
the Company meet the legendary Turlang, a treant- Elder
Druid. They show him Emma's body and reveal their mission
to the Great Treant. Turlang is saddened by their account
of Emma's death and vows to help them in whatever way
possible.
He
tells the Company that he and his Treants have encountered
a group of Thayan Red Wizards with Dereth as their captive.
The Treants have managed to kill a few of the guards but
the Red Wizards were too fast and escaped. Turlang allows
the adventurers access to the items and weapons from said
encounter.
Turlang
also reveals the history of Hellgate Keep and the true
nature of the half-demon, half-elven fiends of House Dlardrageth.
Tarion
speaks with Turlang in private. Turlang offers him apprenticeship
as a ranger should he accept it.
Silverymoon
 |
|
Silverymoon:
Gem of the North
|
At
long last, the perilous journey ends. The Company welcome
the warmth and safety of the Gem of the North, Silverymoon.
Our heroes are awed by the sight of the magical city where
all races live in perfect harmony and the rule of law
is enacted fairly by hundreds of Paladins and the Knights
in Silver.
Paladins of the Knights in Silver escort the Company to
Alustriel's Palace.
The
High Lady has convened the Lord's Alliance (a council
of good-aligned regions opposed to the various evil organizations
of the North). Among those present during the meeting
was the Archmage Nataz, personal represenatative of Sharic
Sif'Harith, High Magistrate of the Church of the Shining
Hand.
Jakob
gets a pleasant surprise seeing his master!
The
Company gets an audience with the High Lady. Emma is resurrected.
Lady Alustriel reveals to them the following:
1.
That Emma Moonblade is actually a Harper and an agent
of the Lord's Alliance sent to Icewind Dale to keep track
of humanoid troop movements and to report activities by
the Legion of Chimera
2. A great crisis is upon the Realms. King Azoun is dead!
A red dragon has killed the great monarch of Cormyr. Cormyrian
cities have been ravaged by the dragon's humanoid army.
3. Alustriel invites the party to be agents for the Alliance.
4. Helps them with some of their questions regarding the
Netherese Scroll.
Tarion
says his final goodbyes and leaves.
Meanwhile,
Jakob requests aid from his great master. Nataz, using
his crystal ball, locates the presence of Dereth (both
the Clone and the real one) they are among the Red Wizard
caravan heading towards Anuaroch. Nataz also discovers
the location of Vy'lareth. Nym, Vy'lareth and drow numbering
around 300 step through the portal from the Standing Stones.
Soon, they parley with Tree Ghost warriors and negotiate
for safe passage.
The
drow are escorted to the eastern edge of the High Forest.
A drow welcoming party awaits. They turn their backs from
the High Forest and head to Cormanthor where they will
reunite with their people.
The
location of Dereth quickly stirs the party to action.
Nataz gives Jakob some scrolls and money while the others
prepare to acquire items and resources to gear up for
the upcoming battle against Dereth and the Red Wizards.
Nataz casts Mark of Justice on Tarion in return for a
favor (or was it a loan or ioun stones?)
Will they finally catch the Clone that murdered Ulbrec?
What role do the Red Wizards play in the scheme of all
things? What about the prophecies of Selune? Also, will
the party accept the High Lady's offer to work for the
Alliance? Is Tarion leaving for good? Will Quin pursue
the angles about his "curse"? What are the goals
of the Legion of the Chimera?
Answers
next episode. 'Nuff said
…
QUOTABLE
QUOTES
Jakob:
"are you two getting married?
Xion: "Better yet! Are you "getting it
on?"
==
Vy'lareth:
"do you really believe in the saying "a good
drow is a dead drow"?"
Tarion: "in time, my 'friend'… in time…"
==
Jakob:
"Master… I… I…"
Nataz: "Speak up! You lice-ridden baboon!!!"
Jakob: "I need help"
Nataz: (Pauses) "I don't have cash!"
==
Orel:
"So, Great One, did you manage to capture the Red
Wizards?"
Turlang: "Uhhhh… they… were….
fast! …*%$#@* fast, my son! We… are… only…
treants"
==
Jakob:
"Now, do you believe me?"
Tarion: " I owe you and your master, big time"
(Tarion reacting to the crystal ball images that Jakob
shows….)
==
Rhistel:
"join me, brother… together we shall be powerful.
In True Death, there is power!"
Quin: "Yeah… right…"
==
Tarion:
"Use the scales twice! Twice!?!"
Endrath: "That's what it says…"
Tarion: "That's IMPOSSIBLE!"
==
Turlang:
"The human hand is versatile because of the power
of the individual digits. Without one, the others are
almost useless. Remember that, Tarion…"
Tarion: "I will, Great One."
==
Turlang:
"Do… I … Bore … You…"
Alliana: (yawning) "oh no! not at all. Not
at all…"
