Loose threads Still unexplored implicit connection between the newly-stablished settlement of Hush and the Iron Front
Participants Zick, Jackal, Hyena, Nagakuda, and Unque
Locations Temple of the Two Suns, Tanglelight Forest, The Iron Front
Short summary:
Our team was assigned by the guild for observation of Olog's Pact half-time performance at the New World United Games. Following the event, team proceeded to establish contact with Pact representatives. As a show of good faith towards the party's interest in the relationship between Drakes and Olog Pact's members Drake Riders, we accepted and invitation to witness a drake bonding ritual. The ritual site was attacked by Remorhazes during team arrival. We are sad to report that the vast majority of Drake Rider candidates who joined the ranks to fight Hearth-Haven's invasion perished in battle. Zick received the great honor of participating in Drake Bonding ritual and has returned with his bonded drake. Fate of the remaining drakes unknown at the moment.
Full Report
Unque
- Olog's Pact orcs from the Iron front perform alongside drakes, showing their command of the drakes, athleticism and acrobatics prowess as well as their ability to command flames.
- I am reminded of V's assessment about the involvement of the Iron Front funding the costs of arming and staffing the settler caravan we escorted into the Silent Forest to begin building "Hush". "May fires always light your way", the phrase that Santana used as an aphorism and their displayed ability to innately cast the spell Blazing Armory leaves me nearly certain that the connection between Santana and Olog's Pact is very real.
- The drakes seem well taken care of. Their scales seem lustrous, which probably means they are being well taken care of. Maybe they are ridden mostly for ceremonial purposes? No signs of physical harm that I can see from here either. I don't see any sign of fear or agression towards the drake riders.
- I remember now that Drakes cannot really be fully tamed. Instead, a prospective rider must earn their respect
- Zick suggests we can simply ask them. A good point! I don't believe they can speak, but am pretty sure they can understand Draconic.
- Some of the orcs in the camp, Krane in particular, are not receptive to our curiosity and treat us with hostility. But Griselda and some others recognize our genuine curiosity and are more forthcoming, or at least indifferent to our request to see the drakes.
- We receive an Invitation from Griselda to visit the valley west of the capital. It would have been better to visit the capital proper, but understandably, our request was denied by the Galespeaker. Regardless, we expect to be able to see the drake's natural habitat and observe a Drake bonding ritual
- After preparing for the trip across much colder environs, we go through Elemental Shrine portal and arrive at the Temple of the Two Suns.
- We meet Marsyas, a satyr who we recognize is a friend of the guild. He offers to ferry us across the lake. I incorrectly assumed he did so knowing in advance of our arrival, but he simply is a kind soul wanting to help.
- We begin our journey through the Tanglelight Forest. Beyond, we spot the peaks which will serve as landmarks guiding our path so that we can arrive safely at the valley where the Olog Pact's settlement lies. The mountain is larger than any I've ever seen. It is quite a majestic sight. I learn this mountain is called Space Mountain. A curious name.
- Our first day of travels through the Tanglelight Forest is uneventful. On the second day, Zick hears laughter which swiftly stops as we approach its source. Near it, we find signs of a small campfire as well as pots and other small knick knacks which have been repurposed into houses, forming a small village or camp in the forest. We found no one, and our attempts to speak with the inhabitants are met only with silence. We decide to continue on our way, not wanting to bother anyone. In turn, we are not bothered by anybody either.
- We find a clearing and set up camp. We have a good night's rest, made even easier by Jack and Hye's shorter rest cycle. Uneventful
- We continue traveling towards Ilex bridge. We spot several forest dwellers: tiny fey creatures and other critters. They again let us pass unimpeded, and so we decide to return the courtesy and leave them be. The forest's dreamy charm gives way to a more mundane-looking woods as we approach the forest's edge.
- I spot traps on our way out of the forest, and in doing so foil an attempt at an ambush by a group of fey. It would seem they were just ill-advised pranksters. We tried to dissuade them from picking a fight with us. Alas, we had to defend ourselves. I must say I am somewhat... troubled, by Jack's bloodlust in battle.
- We exit the Tanglelight Forest into the cold, cold plains of No Man's Land. Space mountain, our guiding landmark, stands impossibly tall in the distance. We come across weapons stuck in the ground. They are clearly setup in an orderly fashion, and so we figure they must be memorials for the fallen of some hopefully ancient battle.
- After two days of traveling, we finally see signs of civilization: a stone bridge, and a checkpoint manned by orcs. We show our invitation to the guards but they try to imply the documents were falsified. Well, much to my surprise, we found that we'd been traveling with bonafide legal counsel. Zick put them in their place with evidence so strong they had no choice but to let us pass.
- When Griselda mentioned a "camp", I was expecting to find a few makeshift structures and a few dozen soldiers. But no, we arrive at what is well and truly a garrison. There's at least a couple hundred soldiers here, and their regiment seems very well organized, and very well guarded.
- When we finally meet Griselda at the training grounds, Zick chooses (and I think wisely, despite my initial hesitance) to come clean and admit we weren't fully honest about our initial motives when we met her. Thankfully, Griselda laughs it off. She mentions she is tired of all the fighting.
Zick
- Griselda introduces us to Clancia, her drake, and gives us a tour of the camp. Zick and Jackal stare in Awe at the Drake while Unque asks Griselda about Olog's pact. Griselda says she cannot speak of it or else it will be seen as treason.
- While trying to figure out what kind of creatures the Orcs were keeping, Jackal reveals that he and Hye saw a unicorn during their watch. Hye thinks it may have been a warning.
- Griselda says that we will work with and eat with the other drake rider trainees. The party begins training with the rest of camp. The workouts include running, weight lifting, and wrestling (Unque adds) do not eat Iron Front's gruel if you can help it! It's not for the faint of heart, and definitely not for sensitive guts.
- I manage to break records lifting weights, a feat that surprises everyone. Let's face it, I am not all that of a physically intimidating kobold. Griselda mentions that he may be a good drake rider
- After spending the night to recover and regret our food choices, the party begins to travel with the orcs. The nights are cold. Winter clothing and tents were necessary. Some members of the party forgot theirs and had to find some scraps to use for shelter. (Unque adds) I can't believe how unbelievably foolish I was to have forgotten my tent! Such a mistake should have costed me my life. I am near certain it did to one of my many selves.
- We are woken up the next morning by some mean spirited pranks, but more importantly we met Tanni Galespeaker. He seems genuinely interested in all of us and our stories
- One piece of surprising information that we learned from the Galespeaker is that Olog tamed the adamantine dragon, Garando-nyxus
- After 3 days of travel, we can finally see Hearth-Haven in the distance. The party is excited to attend the ritual.
- Unfortunately, tragedy strikes. A signal fire is lit, signaling that Hearth-Haven is under attack. the caravan rushes to defend the town.
- After hours of frantic travel, we make it to the village. The scene is horrific. Large flaming centipede-like creatures have decimated buildings, drakes, and orcs alike. We see one eating a deceased drake. It lights some wooden debris on fire while the Galespeaker issues orders for us to aid Griselda.
- We managed to disable a flaming barricade and defeat the centipedes. However, the battle was far from over. A swarm of smaller drakes urge us to go to the watchtower. We follow, but we are no match for Hye's speed. She gets there first to see a MASSIVE centipede.
- Hye tries to sneak around, but ultimately catches the centipede's attention. She goes down just as the rest of us are getting to the battlefield. The fight becomes a rescue mission, but we ultimately defeat it and save both Hye and everyone who had sought refuge atop the watch tower
Unque
- We are incredibly saddened by the death toll in the aftermath of the battle. Many casualties, including all of the drake rider candidates from this year lost their lives defending the village. Their sacrifice shall be remembered.
- I am truly honored to have been able to spend time with Master Amber Eye. I know I will be spending much time expanding upon the knowledge she bestowed upon me of their traditions, their folklore, and stories. I feel one of my alternate selves brought much closer to the surface of this time line by my experiences here. I shall explore this further.
- Inhabitants of Hearth-Haven (excuse my very poor translation of the town's name, my knowledge of Orcish nearly zilch) showed an incredible ability to move past their grief and work together to rebuild after what was surely a traumatic event (I know this all left a scar in my mind; can't imagine their pain)
- As Griselda wisely predicted, Zick displayed an unusual ability to quickly bond with one of the drakes who had been prepared for the bonding ritual. The people of Hearth-Haven and Tanni Galespeaker's group took Zick in as one of their own and taught him the ways of the Drake Rider
- In a bittersweet ceremony, we watched Zick, the only surviving Drake Rider prospect, successfully perform the Bonding Ritual with who turned out to be the only other surviving drake mature enough to bond with a rider. Serendipity tinted red by tragedy and loss.
Conclusions, thoughts
- Any doubt I had about the intentions of the people of Olog's Pact have been dispelled, though I am still of the opinion there's a good deal of secrets being withheld.
- I think an avenue for direct diplomatic relations has been opened and should be utilized. Any opportunity to join forces with others in the harsh lands of the New World should not go to waste
- On the above, I think it very important for First Landing to acknowledge this tragedy and make a statement of sympathy to the people of Hearth-Haven in whatever capacity we are able to