20th Vult, 999 YK
- The Valenar share around bottles of kumis, fermented mare's milk, with the party. They would've made their ancestors proud, if their peoples had kept their ancestors around.
- They camp in the Duurwood, a forest that the road passes through. Dax' Athla converses privately with the rest of the party.
- Dax is concerned with what happened today at the Korlaac Pass. She suggests the party inform the other delegations of the prophecy. Warden is concerned that telling everyone could alter events in unforeseen ways, and Kalshana is concerned it could act as the spark to turn the delegations against each other, they were at war until very recently. There are also concerns that the delegations would react poorly to not being informed of the danger earlier.
- They decide not to inform the other delegates, at least not right now.
- Fharg checked everyone over again. Lozaal tried to flirt, and was very smooth, but ultimately Fharg stated they had incompatible genitals and left.
- Dax goes round the other delegations, aware of what can happen in the aftermath of a disaster. She isn't good at comforting people, but she's a presence.
- In the middle of the night, Dax is woken by Drego sneaking outside her tent. He tells her that the gnolls snuck away, and he's going to follow them. Dax is coming too.
- Dax informs Warden of what's happening, and follows Drego. Drego makes them both invisible, and then holds hands with Dax so that they don't get lost.
- Nyrielle intercepts them and complains they are being loud. They aren't? They are very stealthy. Drego questions why the aide to the diplomat for Breland is sneaking about, but she doesn't answer. She casts 'Pass Without Trace' on the three of them, making them even stealthier.
- They come to a clearing, where the gnolls are waiting. They wait for a while, and then a huge wolf enters the clearing, following by an elf, a half-orc, and a pack of normal sized wolves. Nyrielle shivers, that's weird.
- The two groups discuss the attack, the wolves confirm it was the "Wind Howlers", and that someone named Callain had gotten bold. They have a prisoner, a brutalised harpy, for questioning. The harpy is missing her tongue, but the elf made sure to get one that could read and write.
- Gharn dismissed the wolves in a way that was apparently unacceptable, and the large wolf threatened him, telling him to watch how he speaks to "the blessed". He replied in Gnoll, which Drego was able to translate later. "A blessing more common" or "less blessed by the day"
- The gnolls got ready to fight, flipping their myrnaxes round to show the wolves the silvered spearheads. It seems like a fight is certain, and then Nyrielle slips and rustles the bush they're all hiding in.
- Nova, quick thinking, flies off. The gnolls and wolves seem to accept that the bird made the noise, and the tension has broken. The wolves leave to guard the convoy's journey, and the gnolls return to the camp.
- A little bit away from the camp, Dax, Drego and Nyrielle discuss what they saw. Nyrielle explains that the wolves sent a shiver down her spine, originating from the dragonshard embedded in her neck. She doesn't go into detail, but an accident has left her with two dragonshards embedded in her back, which cause her a great deal of discomfort and pain.
- They return to camp, and Dax gathers the party to discuss discretely. Terfel provides the context that the spearhead of his myrnaxe was silvered, and Dax theorises that the group were lycanthropes. Intriguing, as there aren't supposed to be any lycanthropes left in Khorvaire following the Silver Crusade.
- Warden recognises the half-orc's tattoos as being similar to Gatekeeper tattoo's. It's like the start of a joke.
- Dax is aware of several creatures vulnerable to silver. Lycanthropes, some fiends, some undead, and some species of fey.
- Dax is concerned that this whole summit is a facade, that someone in Droaam wants to sacrifice the delegates for something. Kalshana wonders if the attack on the bridge was targeting someone specifically, rather than just the delegates as a whole.
- Current theory is it's lycanthropes.
- They sleep.
21st Vult, 999 YK
- Kalshana uses her mind link to allow the party to silently converse with Drego and Nyrielle. Dax informs them of their theory, and Drego is intrigued. There aren't any large groups of lycanthropes left on Khorvaire, they either died or were crossed over to Lamannia. If Droaam has been hiding them, that's significant.
- They discuss the warlords mentioned by the elf, Gorodan, Tzaryan and Sheshka. Drego points out these were suggestions, and they shouldn't assume the traitor is one of these three.
- Dax asked Drego where he learned to speak Gnoll, he says he learned it from a gnoll craftsman in Greenheart. Apparently Drego gets around.
- Dax steps aside and resummons Zedd.
The Valenar spend the next 4 days trying to pick a fight, and ribbing everyone else in the wagon.
25th Vult, 999 YK
- Late in the day, the group arrives at the Great Crag.
- They are led through the labyrinthine tunnels to a small block of rooms, basically prison cells, with a small common area. They are opposite the Brelish, and whoever furnished the common area seemed to have little idea of what easterners eat. They have a table with 2 loaves of bread, a bunch of bananas, a cherry pie, and an entire uncooked pumpkin. They have a communal bathroom, with four toilets and a single sink in it.
- Ghyrryn tells them someone will come to take them to the feast soon, and they should get ready.
- Kalshana leaves most of her, un-useful, stuff in their rooms.
- Beren knocks on the door to their common area and asks if they want to go to the feast together. An Oni materializes behind him and introduces himself as the warlord Drul Kantar, warlord of Thrakelorn. He had the honour of planning the festivities tonight, and he's come to escort them personally to the feast.
- There is a tense moment between Beren and Drul Kantar. Beren is on edge, and doesn't appreciate the Oni playing with him. He blows up and rants about how anything happening to the delegates would have dire consequences for Droaam.
- Dax has a quiet chat with Beren, telling him not to let the oni get to him. Oni are good at riling people up. She asks Drul if Tzaryan is present, and Drul confirms that most of the warlords are present.
- They are led into the feasting hall, and Drul Kantar leaves them to escort another delegation to the hall.
The Meeting with the Wolves
"My mother sends her regards, brother Gharn." says the elf. Gharn inclines his head.
"The children of Zaeurl are welcome in this place. Reveal the enemy." Gharn replies.
The half-orc throws the burden to the ground, and it's rolling on the floor unwraps it to reveal the broken remains of a harpy. She's coated in blood, bone protruding from her shattered wings and her face mishapen with bruises, and you're certain she's dead until she opens her eyes.
"Wind Howlers" said the elf. "As expected, Callain couldn't resist such choice prey, not with the incoming storm."
"Callain lives" says Gharn
"Such were my orders." replies the elf. "The old bird's working with one of the others, perhaps Gorodan, Tzaryan Rrac or Sheshka, and our ladies wish to draw out the game. You're to take this one with you to the Crag for questioning."
The elf reaches into his pocket and throws a wet piece of glistening flesh on the ground. "I made sure to find one that knew how to read and write."
Ghyrryn pulls his lips back in a snarl, showing his teeth. "Such brutality was unnecessary. Go then, guard our backs on the journey ahead."
Perhaps Gharn had grown too bold, as the massive wolf similarly draws it's lips back to show it's teeth, and then it speaks. "Mind your tongue, two-legs, or we may take yours next. Watch how you speak to the blessed."
Gharn snaps out something in Gnoll, and the wolf growls in response and takes a step forward. The tension in the air seems to snap, as all four gnolls flip their myrnaxes around to show the wolves the silver spearheads, and get into a combat ready pose. The two groups snarl at each other for several seconds, and then Nyrielle slips and causes the bush to rustle.
Description of the Feast
Entering the feasting hall, it's clear that the Daughters of Sora Kell have spared no expense or effort on this event. The feasting hall is a spectacle to behold, with an overwhelming variety of sights and sounds, it's a stark contrast to the darkness of the tunnels. Little sparks of golden light float in the air, like faerie fire, drifting amongst the guests. A team of goblins and kobolds dart around a firepit in the middle of the hall, rushing taster pallets around to the guests, and there is this rich aroma of spiced meats and vegetables in the air, it smells amazing.
Along the firepit in the center, there are spits currently roasting a tribex, a gorgon, and a crustacean that is roughly the size of a warhorse. Long tables are laid out around it, set with Riedran crysteel plates and goblets made of carved glass. There is a band of goblins in one corner of the room, providing a frenzied song on pipes, drums and a single lute, and dancing in front of them is a changeling with jet black skin, weaving her shapechanging to make it appear like flames dance across her flesh, her long hair flowing around her and adding to the illusion of flame.
Tiny gargoyles dart around the ceiling, throwing these glowing glass balls between each other in this wild display of juggling. It's a lot to take in, and looking around you can see the delegates conversing with the warlords of Droaam. You can see the delegates from the Mror Holds laughing with a minotaur, Lord Beren speaking with a snake-haired woman in a flowing white dress, though Nyrielle is still stood by the entrance with you.