Throughout the trip to where they had to finally make the choice of going on to the moutains or turning to the city, Elessarae worked with Comrade, she took a light riding pad, saddle blankets and a bitless bridle from the stable at Hith Elee. These she put on Comrade and let him carry them for a couple of days, then she added a set of saddlebags that had some weight to them. Finally, while they stopped to rest for lunch, she would leap up and lay over the saddle to let him feel her weight. On the day before reaching the crossroads she mounted him and let him carry her for about twenty minutes, before leaping off and going back to riding the mare. She did this twice during that day.

She was mounted on him as they came to the crossroads and the question of their direction was brought to a discussion.

Elessarae could only listen as they spoke, this was their mission. She had wanted to recharge her healing wand, the gem would have been enough to do that much maybe even more magic on her sword or magic on her armor.

When all had spoken she voiced her reasons for going to the city.

"All that we have been experiencing of late is due to the Goblins from out of those moutains. As I stated before, I believe something other than Goblins is, or are behind the poisonsing of the trees. The city is our last chance to use the money ofs the reward to augment ourselves with magic, and healing. Just getting from Megilindar Nost to here has taken more than half my wand of cure light wounds."

"I have a feeling, when you were sent out that all you were meant to do was go there, for whatever reason, and then return. You would have known that you would face Goblins and such, but now those goblins are not scattered little bands, fighting each other. They have now been drawn together for some purpose and will be more dangerous."

"I also believe that we could use all the magic and equipment we can carry to take on what is in those mountains. Would it not be best to use the money we have to see that we are wearing and carrying the most we can in magics? What good is the money if we are dead."

Geim got his things ready to move on without saying much. Well that is not exactly true. HE grumble some under his breath but it was not intelligible to others.

After breakfast he growled, “Time to go everyone. We got things to do and yes I remember what they are,” Geim added unnecessarily.

While getting ready anything and everything that did not go right, Geim grumbled about it though mostly to himself. He had collected small bits of cloth stuffed in all his pockets and wherever else they would fit. Wiping his eyes constantly and figuring out what to do with the goo soaked rags seemingly frustrated the normally stable old dwarf.

Malius had left. Geim could not get that off his mind. He had driven him away now knowing why just his letter and Geim didn’t know if Malius had written the truth. After all he could have told them face to face like. You would think that after all they had been through together that the lad could have said something and not just left in the night like that.

Riding was not his thing either. ((I did not think we had horses)) Dwarves were never meant to ride it was like climbing up on a beer keg and trying to keep your balance so it wouldn’t roll you off. His legs stuck out not down. It was undignified. Geim mumbled to himself and unless anyone started a conversation or asked a question he kept focused on staying on.

When then paused at the crossroads Geim just listened to what the young elf bladesinger had to day.

“Good idea, lass. Good adventures carry their wealth on their back not their purses, If not they should retire to a chair somewhere. However back to your suggestion, it depends on the group here and what they decide to do. Okay the rest of you. Do we detour to the city or ride on to the mountains. I am for the city Who is for or against that?”

Alloryen Border
Foot of the Chakran Mts
15th day of the 8th month: Temoth Ore
1:14 pm
Precisely a week later the group returned to the crossroads where they had left their way to the Mountains to spend their money on needed supplies and enforcements. They were ready now to face the dangers of the peaks and sent their horses towards the east. It didn’t take too long to break free of the forest. An hour later they were riding through hills with scattered trees and bushes, and slowly ascending. Looking back, they could see the vast sea of green treetops, occasionally broken by rivers. Far in the distance they could see the tip of the Exaulted Tower, but it was not more than a misty contour against the clear sky. They were off all the existing maps now, into the wild and unwelcoming grey zone of Antaron.

The roots of the mountains surfaced steadily, and the grassy hills soon showed patches of rock that got bigger and bigger and replaced the green with ungrowth. A few hours later they encountered the first hints of Goblin activity, when they spotted an abandoned fireplace between several rocks, where a good group of warriors had spent time roasting wildlife. They found animal bones there, the tip of a spear and even a goblin ear that had been cut off, and was growing mould already. Who knew what had taken place here. Malius would’ve been able to tell them more, but the ranger had left them.

Another hour later they had left the grassy hills for good, and were climbing an old goat’s path. They were getting close to the first mountain range and had to face the fact that their horses were no good here. There were no paths, the ground was uneven, and up ahead they could see the jagged surface of the peaks. They could try their luck, of course. Maybe after crossing the first mountain, access would be easier. But would they put the animals through this? Their mission was one of stealth, to find the hidden lore that Chakranna secreted. Elessar’s intentions were different of course, but she knew as well that clacking hooves on stone would only give them away.

And then the evening fell. They had never experienced such a sudden change. As soon as the sky coloured orange they could hear drums echoing through the mountains, starting as a rumble, but growing steadily. And in the distance a snake of black smoke curled its way towards the heavens. Suddenly the day was gone, and night was there, from one minute to the next; not in the difference of light in the sky, but in their hearts. They had entered the enemy’s grounds, and had to be very careful from this moment on.

(OOC: though the closest point of passage is still about half an hour away, you’ve got some decisions to make.)

The trek had taken the coterie of companions far from the relative safety of civilizations domain, and into the hostile wilderness where savagery and survival ruled stronger than any law or doctrine of man. Out here, every step would have to be taken with measured caution, and every decision made with calculated risk. It was not a realm where one should be careless; and yet as grasslands gave way to rocky outcroppings and stone covered footing, Thondrek could only smile as he edged his horse on.

“Aye tis good to set foot on solid ground once more.” He said as they came to the uneven broken ground and he dismounted, hefting his gear onto his broad shoulders and setting his horse free. As the mare made back for more stable, familiar, and safer territory, Thondrek actually gave a little barely audible prayer for the mounts well being, a curious oddity to the typically unimpassioned Khord.

As day passed into night, much more quickly than the Khord would have liked, and the drums began to echo across the landscape, Thondrek secured his shield and belongings, (including spiked cleat boots should he have been able to acquire climbing kits as per the q/a) and looked to his companions for their sign of being ready to proceed. “I’d suggest we spread us Khord’s around the party, I’ll happily head up front, let our eyes do what they’re meant to do, like spot any creeping critters before they spot us.”

Loda sat on her pony and daydreamed about past events, until the sound of hoof on hard stone woke her up from he mind slumber. She looked around and seen that they were entering the mountains and soon the sun would set fully behind the jutting mountains of stone. She looked into the golden sky and seen a pillar of black smoke rising from behind the hill. She shuddered at the drums that rang out across the terrain and regained her composure, thinking over the spells she would need to defeat these disgusting goblinoids and their allies. From what the Blade singer said these goblins had allies that helped them plan out these elaborate schemes, and they too would need to die.

Loda kept on guard, but the path ahead would not let their horses go any further. She dismounted and patted her pony.

" You've done good for me, now it's time to rest for you. What should we do with the horses, let them head back themselves?"

While on the trail to Isilme-Ishtil Elessarae will go out early in the morning before the other wake, the she prays for her mother, for in Sillarion Somion ’Enrai the funeral of her mother would begin at sunrise. So it was that her song floated out into the trees, wafted on the pale blue morning mists. She sang the ancient Song of Passing, and lost in her song she did not notice the Elves that materialized out of the mists and joined in her song. When at least the song faded into the trees, Elessarae turned to those that had song with her.

“Thank you,” Elessarae dashed away her tears and nodded to each then returned to their camp.

There were a number of things Elessarae wanted at the castle. First was to get her wand recharged. Second was to find a magic item that would allow her to communicate with Comrade. Third was to get Wulf’s armor and weapon identified. Next she goes to the Main Temple of Adaron. There she makes a offering of 5 gp in Wulf's name and she takes the time to pray for him tell him that She will carry his sword and that other of their group will be enhanced by his shield and helm. The she prays for the success of their mission, and she also adds a pray for her mother. Last of all was to sepend the rest of what she had on things they might need, thought that would be little enough after her larger purchases.

After all that Elessarae contemplates the dispersal of Wulf's items as they ride out to the mountains.

* * * * *

As other speak of leaving the horses behind Elessarae quickly speaks up. "Do not just turn them lose for now, for they may quickly become dinner."

Elessarae had known this moment would come, the reason she bought the ring she now wore.

"I am hoping that I can do something to assure that the horses get back to the city and be taken care of until our return. It will depend on Comrade. If I can get him to do it, he will take the horse back to the castle."

Elessarae gathers her equipment from the black mare. She felt honor bound to return the mare to her owner at Runya Nost. She takes off Comrades bridle, and ties it to the riding pad. For now she holds on to the mare. The time had come to activate the ring.

“Comrade, you can not go with us, we will be going where horses can not go, up the mountains and underground. I need you to obey me as you obey your mother. I need to know you will be safe.’

Not knowing exactly how the ring would she spoke to him aloud and slowly, and the same time building picture in her mind, so if her thought were imparted to him it would show him what she meant.

“Will you lead these horses and ponies back to the castle and stay there until I return?”

It was said and there was an ache in her heart as she spoke. Comrade had been with her for the onset of the MAOUS outbreak, but she also knew that he was in great danger here.

(What ever happens whtt the horses.)

"I have two things of Wulf's for wouldever it would best suit." Elessarae holds out a light wooding shield and the helmet that had been Wulf's. "The shield is magiced an added 1 level to you armor. The helmet gives a bonus to grappling. (See Q&A)

"I will be carrying Wulf's sword"

The Chakran Mts
15th day of the 8th month: Temoth Ore
7:30 pm
The sun was about ready to depart, and leave them into the hands of a long night. The companions had set their horses loose, but not completely abandoned them. Elessarae had spoken with Comrade, and for the first time since their meeting she had made a connection with the moonhorse that was so deep that for a few moments they completely understood each other.

“Comrade,” she said, “you can not go with us, we will be going where horses can not go, up the mountains and underground. I need you to obey me as you obey your mother. I need to know you will be safe.”

Comrade peered at her from under his long dark eyelashes. Then his thoughts reached her, and they were clear like her own.

“I will take my brothers and sisters back to the forest, and then to the first homes I find. But you must be careful. Bad things are surfacing beyond those mountains.”

With that he left them, followed by the other mounts.

The group now faced a steep walk over an old goat’s path. It was not the most difficult trail they had ever followed, hardened by weather and experience as they were. It made them recall memories of the encounter with Troshba the Manticore, but this time they reached the top of the mountain range safely.

Before them lay a dark valley, surrounded by peaks and ranges taller than the one they had climbed right now. The only vegetation that grew here were patches of grass, dry bushes, and sporadical trees. Down in the valley laid a small lake, black in the shadow of the mountains. In the distance they could see snow covered tops that eternally watched history unravel itself.
The thumping echo of drums reached their ears stronger here, and after peering over the mountains a few moments they perceived movement in the depth below them.

The mountain they had just mastered went down again fast on the other side, and up to higher peaks on their flanks. Going down was another path, only existent by forming flatter rocks and slightly smoothed surfaces to walk on. The path lead towards the valley, and ended on a grassy plateau, an even place in jagged surroundings. On the right side of the plateau was a deep drop that the companions could hardly see beyond. But they caught a glimpse there of a rocky bottom, with green dots moving about, like a swarm of ants. Occasionally a small speck of light would flicker, but as the shadows of night grew deeper, the scene was taken from their sight.

What were they to do? It was possible, likely even, that the activity in the depths were goblins. But were they looking for goblins? Or were they simply looking for a way into the old kingdom of the Chakrandrum? How would they ever find the entrance to the underground halls?

Thondrek was wondering what was keeping everyone so quiet. Surey they had seen goblins before. Thondrek growled to himself as he watched the swarm of filthy critters move about down below. "I dun know about all of you, but I'd be more than willing to drop a couple o' fireballs on dem heads, watch em scatter like ants before a storm."

Thondrek moved a bit further along to try and get a better view, but distance and night were taking his quarry even farther than his own darkvision would allow. "I don't know about the rest of you, but we came this far not to stand around scratchin our arses while our only possible lead scuttles about under our noses."

Thondrek will move along the cliff face and paths as best he can staying out of sight of the goblins below, ready to trail them. His Fireball scroll with two castings is attached to the inside of his caster's shield.

Should be be spotted of a general alarm raised, he'll not hesitate to let loose a fireball into the largest grouping of goblins, illuminating the enemy for those above, while hopefully sending the little vermin into dissarray.

Elessarae wrote a message and sent it with her coin purse, tied securly to her saddle. There was all her money in the pouch, what she had left for the reward. The message asked that the horses be taken to the Moonlit Castle to be cared for. She adds that they are the mounts of those non Sylvari that had fought the Mauos at Hith Elee and healed the White Willow. Elessasrae asks that the Moodsteed be treated as a free spirit and not penned or tied. If there was not enough money, she asked that they petition Meglindar Nost for it in her name.

Before they set out Elessarae offered the helm and the sheild to any of the group that wants them explaining what they were and did, there was the light wooden shield +1 and the helm that gave a good bouns to grappling.

She climbs the mountains like a chamois and is not the winded when they reach the top. Since leaving the castle Elessarae has been wearing an oddly colored set of clothes. The are basically gray but they look like strangely spotted. It was as it the clothe had been daubed with water first and the dye was scattered over the cloth. browns, greens, and dark blue-gray. In some places the dyes made dark lines and in other the spatter dyes bled in the wet cloth and diluted the colors. In spome places the dyes bled into each other forming differnt tones. (Sylvari camo cloth.)

Before them lay a dark valley, surrounded by peaks and ranges taller than the one they had climbed right now. The only vegetation that grew here were patches of grass, dry bushes, and sporadical trees. Down in the valley laid a small lake, black in the shadow of the mountains. In the distance they could see snow covered tops that eternally watched history unravel itself.

The thumping echo of drums reached their ears stronger here, and after peering over the mountains a few moments they perceived movement in the depth below them.

The mountain they had just mastered went down again fast on the other side, and up to higher peaks on their flanks. Going down was another path, only existent by forming flatter rocks and slightly smoothed surfaces to walk on. The path lead towards the valley, and ended on a grassy plateau, an even place in jagged surroundings. On the right side of the plateau was a deep drop that the companions could hardly see beyond. But they caught a glimpse there of a rocky bottom, with green dots moving about, like a swarm of ants. Occasionally a small speck of light would flicker, but as the shadows of night grew deeper, the scene was taken from their sight.

This was what Elessarae had come for to spy on the goblins. What little she saw of them in the growing shadows left her wanting to race back and warn the castle, There were thousands of them and who knew how many thousand of thousands there were in the valley beyond their sight.

"This is not good," she commented to those about her. "Someone has gathered all the tribes of the mountains, it would seem. Someone with enough power to keep them from killing themselves in blood feuds and tribal wars."

The journey from the Sylvari village was awkwardly silent. Noone spoke at all, let alone of anything cheery. Not that Draven minded at all. He wasn’t here to make friends. Infact, after their brief stop, and his opportunity to make a few amends to his equipment, he was in higher spirits then he had been in quite some time. They were finally on the track they had set out to be on in the first place.

The mountains were an obstacle of course, but for all their hazards, the climb was smoother then their previous adventure. They passed a small patch of rocks that reminded Draven of the manticore they had fought early on in their mission. It seemed ages ago…

Now, the sun was setting, and the group stood atop a mountain crest, peering into a steep, darkening valley. Below them, nestled between the peaks sat a lake, surrounded by meadows. Rolling up the slopes towards the group was the steady beat of drums, however, and even from here they could see the tiny forms of what Draven assumed must be goblin hordes.

Of course any group that was trying to avoid goblins and simply pass through the mountains, would have halted here, perhaps ducked back down the slope a bit, and made a fireless camp. This group, however, needed answers. The only ones in these mountains that might be able to give those answers, were goblins.

It was Thondrek who spoke first. The dwarfs gruff voice breaking the long silence that had been lingering over them.

"I don't know about the rest of you, but we came this far not to stand around scratchin our arses while our only possible lead scuttles about under our noses."

He started to make his way down the path, when the Sylvari they had met in the village, and who had joined their ranks, spoke.

"This is not good. Someone has gathered all the tribes of the mountains, it would seem. Someone with enough power to keep them from killing themselves in blood feuds and tribal wars."

His golden eyes were locked on the valley below them, and the wind was tugging at his black locks. Draven let a wolfish grin at that statement and said

“With all this speculating, I can think of a way to get answers. We capture one of the filth, and we learn what we can from it. Goblins are cowards. They talk under the right…methods.”

Starting down the path behind Thondrek, Draven kept his pace slow and cautious.
(When the group gets a bit closer, draven will slow the group if he can, so that they can scout the scene and learn what they can from this….I think we should try to find a small group and some cover, ambush some lone goblins away from the others, and take a captive, and kill any witnesses….)

Karma: 29/19
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1124 Posts

Geim had been mostly silent since leaving the Castle. He had gone to the temple there but his problems wiht his weeping eyes was still unchanged. He ws disappointed that no one could seem to tell him what the problem was or how to stop it. He did not share his problems with others, it seemed they all had enough of their own. There was very little conversation amongst the party ans they rode to the base of the Chakran Mountains.

Since he was not ill exactly, and other than the bother of wiping his eyes constantly he did not change what he was capable of doing. Nothing had really changed, that is in his own estimation, but then to the others he seemed quieter and kept more to himself. Though he was always willing to lend a hand to anything that needed doing.

Dismounting there they loose the horses, though Elessarae spoke with her young stallion it seem and she said that he would take them to safety.

Geim repack his belongings into his pack as the party set out to cross the Chakran Mountains. He took strength from the mountain towering high into the sky. He felt better than he had for days, his spirits seemed to perk up. HE spokk up to the others, "They be the bones of the earth laid bare. They stand watch silently on the little living things about them that pass so quickly in time. We dwarves understand them ,they are in our blood."

While Geim's legs are short and his stride is too he was built for this scramble up a goat track. His low center of gravity made parts of the travel easier for him than for some of the taller fold. Thondrek, and Loda, also seemed to be taking it well in stride, Not that the tall folk didn't do so well, but dwarves were kin to stone and mountains.

Once they had crested the last ridge they descended quickly as was safe.

They hold up near a deep canyon and move back. Elessarae goes to look at what is below. To put it simply she said it was not good seeing so many goblins all together. Geim understood what she intimated. Goblins of different tribes had banded tog ether. That was not goo news.

Thondrek was eager to have at them. Wanting to loose a couple of fireballs on the goblins, or what they thought were goblins down in the bottom of the canyon,

Draven even added his own opinion and oddly enough Geim had to agree with him.

"Draven, laddie. you got the right idea, We need information and we can't have them knowing we are here. Elessarae. lassie, your assessment is accurate in that if they are down there in those numbers if does mean that they have put or have been force to put aside tribal feuds and their ceaseless squabbling and that can be very bad for the rest of the the other side of this mountains. Nit only Sylvari but for humans as well. We dwarves have been fighting them for centuries, filthy vermin indeed."

"Now, unless someone is providing them with provisions they may well send out a hunting party or sentries. I daresay we can locate such a group and whittle it down to one survivor."

This is the most talking Geim has done in days, but it does not last he steps back after having his say to listen to the others comments.

The Chakran Mnts
15th day of the 8th month: Temoth Ore
8:21 pm
The first thing to do, was climbing the narrow path down the mountain towards the grassy plateau which lay waiting for them in the depth. From there they would have a much better view on the goblin camp, if that was what they had spotted down in the valley.

The descend over the narrow goat’s path was no real test for the hardened group, but the falling darkness was hindering their movement somewhat. Still, they reached the grassy plane safely, and could now afford themselves a better look at the encampment below.

The field rounded down into a rocky slope on the north side, which lead into the valley. The east and south side ended suddenly in steep cliffs, with jagged rocks and only darkness at their bottom. They showed a marvellous view over the valley, which now was drenched in shadow. The Khords amongst them could feel the rock shiver with every drum beat. It was hard to imagine an instrument so powerful that it could strike fear into the heart of rock, but the army below was wielding it with glee. For it was surely an army that lay beyond the edge of the field.
From this high ground they could see the fires more clearly, spotting the rocky slopes of the mountains. There were many, and in the flickering lights they noted the shadows of squirming forms, still tiny, but some far larger than the goblin race was known for. There must be hundreds of them running around; following orders, waiting impatiently or busy building tents for higher officers. Amidst the chaos there seemed a calm which goblins were unknown for. Perhaps Elessarae was speaking the truth. Perhaps there was a larger force combining tribes, or perhaps this was one tribe unlike any they had ever heard of. In any case, it was frightening.

But they did not have long to eye the madness of evil below them, for they could hear a shuffle of rock and the grunting of draconic voices close by. Then they spotted them: a group of dark forms was coming up a steep path from the south edge of the grass field. They had not seen the heroes yet, but it was a grassy plane they were standing on; there was nowhere to hide. Looking closely, they perceived ten small individuals, most likely goblins, accompanied by an ogre. Apparently, the ogre was urging the goblins forward with something that looked like a whip.

(OOC: You have 4 rounds to prepare yourselves for their arrival on the grassy plane. They arrive from a small and steep path leading close to the mountain. In 4 rounds you can run back to the mountainside and hide, but that doesn’t give you any time left to prepare anything. Communicating/ planning subtracts a round, so any talk give you less time (this also includes conversing about tactics in the Q/A). If you don’t hide or prepare, the goblins will see you as soon as they enter the plane, which will be at the beginning of round 5. Also, Alyssia has her Nimbus of Light on, which spreads a glow and gives her away immediately. Perhaps you should turn it off.)

Thondrek knew that time was running out and soon quite the fight would be upon them. He looked to his comrades for their actions but they all seemed frozen, like the thrum of the drum through the rock beneath their feet had stricken them with fear. As a Khord of the Mountains, Thondrek had dealt with his fair share of goblin and giant kind, though that was when he had his brethren behind him, and a surge of sturdy shields and dwarven axes worked their way in harmony to defend their homes. Now, he was with a group who each held their own styles of combat, and though they worked as a team, he doubted anyone else here, save perhaps Geim had partaken in strict military formation or strategy before.

Falling into a spell, Thondrek imbued his body with the strength of the bull and moved a bit closer, and as his muscles swelled he prepared for the first layer in his trap. (R1) He held in his free hand a vial of smokey liquid as he began to read from the scroll scribed into the back of his caster's shield. As soon as the fiery little bead was away to encapsulate the group in a blast of fire, (one of the 2 inscribed fireballs)(R2) Thondrek quaffed the Potion of invisibility, and disappeared from view, moving closer to the Ogre and the hopefully scattering and disorganized goblins. (R3) Finally, he activated his True Strike Clasp as he hefted his axe and awaited the Ogre to come closer so that he could strike out with a Arcane channeled Shocking grasp through his newly imbued masterwork axe. (R4)

(Four rounds should have him nearer the Ogre and invisible and true striked, ready for combat on the five round when they would have originally come into view anyways. Thondrek will let the Ogre/ goblins pass by him if needbe to effectively pincer them between him and the others.)

"Kharox guide my hand and eye," as he cast bless on the group and then draws his ax in preparation for battle. The biggest problem he thought is if one of those opposing them ran off down the trail to warn the others.

He moved to try to circle around the end of the group and defend the trail. If he could get there quick enough he could perhaps separate some on them from the rest. Then he would try throwing some off the trail down into the canyon.

"Filthy scum."

But they did not have long to eye the madness of evil below them, for they could hear a shuffle of rock and the grunting of draconic voices close by. Then they spotted them: a group of dark forms was coming up a steep path from the south edge of the grass field. They had not seen the heroes yet, but it was a grassy plane they were standing on; there was nowhere to hide. Looking closely, they perceived ten small individuals, most likely goblins, accompanied by an ogre. Apparently, the ogre was urging the goblins forward with something that looked like a whip.

"Crouch low for now, it might take them longer to get up high enough to see us." Elessarae advises. What Megilindar Nost had fear was there in the valley. Hundreds of thousands of Goblins and Ogres and who knew what else, was massing in the valley. This was an army of invasion and the Sylvari had to be warned and quickly.

Elessarae prepeared her Flare spell to use on the lead goblin. She draws he sword and prepares to do battle. Once the Flare spell is off she will sing to encourage her comrades.

One thing she did know was that she had to keep any of the group from sounding an alarm. So she will look to see if any of them is wearing a horn, that one would be her first target.