The adventurers:
- Kigash Bodaz – Mountain Dwarf Tempest Barbarian 4
- Garthog Pomdetierre – Tiefling Archfey Warlock 4
- Íoldîr Greenleaf – Wood Elf Beast Master Ranger 4
- Lini Bagwhistle – Forest Gnome Moon Druid 4
- Turnin Hammerhand – Hill Dwarf War Cleric 4
The party has traveled deep into the Ardeep Forest on behalf of House Nandar to make peace between the village of Nightstone and the wood elves of the forest. They are met by a party of scouts that escort them further into the forest, towards the ruins of the Nandar hunting lodge. The terrain had been gently rolling hills covered with tall softwood trees that form a thick canopy overhead but leave an open understory below that allows for easy travel. The trail now leads over steep ridges and deep gullies through densely overgrown trees and vines. The thick vegetation blocks much of the sunlight, and the vibrant forest sounds from earlier have faded. The dark and gloom give the travelers the sense that the forest is trying to wrap itself around them and swallow them whole.
The scouts lead the party up a broad ridge and into a more open area. It appears to be the ruins of the lodge. There are the remains of several small buildings that the forest has overgrown and reclaimed, but the stone foundation of the main hall stands firm against the forest growth. The ruins stand within a clearing that was carved out of the forest centuries ago, about five hundred feet long and three hundred feet wide. The stumps of many smaller trees are in evidence, likely cut down a decade ago when Drezlin Nandar began his efforts to re-establish the hunting lodge. Small saplings grow in their place, continuing the process of regrowth the forest has been working on for so long.
The party is led into the great hall itself, into what would have been the ground floor. Passing through an archway, Turnin can’t help but appreciate the stonework. While not quite up to dwarven standards, it’s the finest human work he’s seen. Despite centuries of exposure and erosion, the stone blocks still have sharp corners and edges. To this day there are no gaps apparent between the blocks, almost as if the foundation were carved as a single mass. The vines that seem to grow everywhere in this part of the forest have not yet established themselves on the stone foundation, as there are no cracks or openings for the plants to latch onto. Turnin finds himself nodding in silent admiration as he and the rest of the party file into what remains of the great hall.
A party of three wood elves stands before them, and the one in the center stands a bit forward of the other two with the self-confident air of a leader. He watches as each party member files into the ruined hall, silently observing and assessing. His face shows no emotion, but when Íoldîr steps into view there is a slight arching of one eyebrow that goes unnoticed by the others. Íoldîr notices this but also maintains a placid demeanor as his mind races, wondering if he’s been recognized.
The wood elf raises his hand in greeting and steps forward, introducing himself with a polite smile. “I am Rond Bilindemar, guardian of the Ardeep Forest and speaker for my peers.” Saying this, he turns to his left and right, acknowledging the elves that stand beside him. They nod in agreement as he continues, “With whom do I speak?”
Garthog steps forward, clearing his throat in an exaggerated manner. “I am Garthog Pomdetierre, Baronet of House Margaster and I come as emissary of Lord Tularth Nandar. Long has there been strife between the village of Nightstone and the noble elves of the Ardeep Forest, and my lord entreats you to discuss terms for a lasting peace.” Garthog presents his symbol of authority, the badge of House Nandar, with a bow and a flourish.
Garthog watches with acute observation to the elf’s reaction and body cues as he makes his introduction. Rond does a good job of keeping the smile on his face, but Garthog catches a glimmer of annoyance around his eyes during the exchange. Garthogs gives himself an internal sigh of disappointment, realizing he is dealing with a “staight shooter” who lacks any appreciation of the finer details of diplomatic pomp. Adopting a more matter-of-fact tone of voice, Garthog turns to the party and says “Let me present my companions.” As Garthog introduces Turnin, Íoldîr, and Kigash in turn, they each step forward and give a stiff bow. When Íoldîr steps forward, even Garthog notices the faintest upturning of the mouth as Rond’s polite smile momentarily becomes a genuine smile.
Lini is the last to be introduced and she steps forward, uncertain how to best present herself to Rond, a fellow guardian of nature. She opts for dramatic flair and makes a grand sweeping bow, bending forward and extending her left hand forward and low to the ground. As she does so she casts her Druidcraft cantrip, causing a small flower growing at her feet to open into a full bloom. Looking up at Rond, she smiles and gives him a wink. The three elves can’t help but laugh, and Rond says with a smile, “Come let us talk of peace. I am glad to hear House Nandar is ready to discuss terms in earnest.” He leads the party towards several fallen beams covered in moss and takes a seat.
As the they warily seat themselves, Rond introduces the party to his fellow negotiators, Bregon and Dúnaer. “Long before the Dalereckoning,” he begins, “long before the Age of the Proud People, there was the First Flowering – when the ancient elves established five great kingdoms across Faerun. This region you now know as the Sword Coast was the kingdom of Illefarn. It stretched from the capital of Aelinthaldaar on the coast all the way east to the High Moors and the shifting sands of Anauroch. A mighty forest stretched from the south at the River Delimbyr to the north up to the Spine of the World. The forest was the body and heart of Illefarn, but over many millenia more and more of my kin abandoned the forest, preferring the comfort and charms of city life. The bond between elves and forest eventually weakened, leaving both vulnerable to invaders. It was inevitable that the great forest would become fractured and the kingdom of Illefarn would fall.”
Rond pauses for a moment, as those listening struggle to comprehend the vastness of such a kingdom, and the fact that it endured for nearly thirty thousand years. In a voice touched with sadness, he continues “Eventually my people retreated to Evermeet, and the Ardeep Forest suffered. It wasn’t until Hersted Nandar built this accursed hunting lodge that we decided to strike back. I led a group of like-minded elves back to the forest to protect what little remains. We will not stand by while great beasts are hunted to extinction, nor will we allow the tombs of our ancestors to be plundered. If Nandar wants peace, he must withdraw from the forest. And he must correct the mistake of his ancestor.”
With these words Rond stands up and raises both arms in frustration, glancing around at the stone foundation of the great hall. Turning back to the party he says, “These stones stand here in defiance of the forest, refusing to erode and fracture. As long as this foundation remains, it will draw rich nobles like a moth is drawn to a flame. Just as Drezlin Nandar attempted to restore the lodge, some time in the future another rich nobleman will decide to make his fortune hunting in the Ardeep. This we will not allow, and we will kill intruders if necessary to protect our home. If Nandar truly wants peace, he must destroy this lodge completely.”
Garthog pauses to appreciate the up-side of negotiating with someone so direct and blunt. Within a matter of a few minutes they have arrived at the core of the wood elves’ conflict with House Nandar. If this negotation were taking place in Waterdeep they would only have just gotten into a second glass of wine while still working on the introductions and recitations of accomplishment. Sighing wistfully, Garthog says “With the understanding you have given us, I am confident Lord Nandar will consider your demand. But I am mindful of the fact that the house has held claim to this lodge for over two centuries. Perhaps he will more readily acede to your request if he is given an alternative by which you and House Nandar can work cooperatively to protect the forest.”
He explains to Rond his proposal that the house be granted a concession to allow limited hunting of fell monstrostities within the forest, under the guidance of the elves. Thus they could work together to rid the forest of marauding giants and other dark creatures that threaten the balance of nature. Rond does not appear very accepting of the notion, but Garthog pursuades him to take some time to consider the idea. Rond agrees, and states he will have an answer in the morning. Without another word, the wood elves step into the forest and are gone.
“Right then,” says Kigash as she stands up and stretches, “I think I’ll take a nap.” With that she drops her gear against the north wall and stretches out on the ground, using her pack for a pillow. Íoldîr heads into the forest in search of food and game while the others rest and make a few preparations for camp. With several hours before nightfall there’s not much else to do. Íoldîr returns a couple hours later with three hare and several handfuls of berries. The adventurers hardly have to touch their rations as they enjoy freshly roasted hare for the evening meal. As night darkens, they spend some time around the fire discussing the developments of their peace mission and pondering the motives of giants and dragons.
The night’s rest is interrupted by a large creature that has been drawn to the smell of horses and roast hare. Lini is keeping watch and she gently wakes Kigash as it approaches. It can be heard moving through the thick underbrush, but is obscured by the heavy vegetation. It isn’t until it pokes its head through an archway that the party can see it, a large creature that looks much like a bear but with large eyes and a wickedly sharp beak that unmistakebly identify it as an owlbear. With a roar that sounds more like a screech, it lunges forward to attack. Lini instantly wildshapes into the form of a brown bear and charges forward to engage. Kigash grabs her axe and steps forward, while the others sleepily get to their feet.
The fierce reputations that Lini and Kigash are making for themselves prove true tonight, for the owlbear is greatly damaged before anyone else can join the fray. With the help of Íoldîr and Turnin, the owlbear is put down. And just like that the battle is over, before Garthog has finished fastening his cloak. He commends the group for their effectiveness in battle then retreats to his tent to finish his rest. The others retire to their bedrolls, except for Kigash who takes the next watch. As the minutes pass away, she finds herself unable to resist and taking her knife cuts off a haunch of owlbear flesh. After roasting it for a while over the fire, she cautiously samples the meat, which happens to smell delicious. Finding it tastes like a cross between boar and yard-fowl, she decides it would be perfect served with roasted tubers and a nice thick gravy and accompanied by a dwarven ale or two… or three, or six, or…
The following morning the adventurers are breaking camp when they suddenly notice Rond and several other elves waiting patiently at the edge of the ruined great hall. Garthog walks over to greet them, and Rond quickly states his decision. “We find your proposal distasteful, but I fear it is the only way we can hold our present ground in our beloved forest. We will allow Nandar to hunt monstrosities such as that owlbear, under our direction, provided he commits to the immediate removal of the foundation of this hunting lodge. To that end, I make a request of you to demonstrate the good faith and character of House Nandar and its emissaries.”
Rond explains that the destruction of the foundation stonework can be greatly accelerated by employing the strength of living trees. A druid of great renown named Aerglas has the ability to awaken the spirits within trees, and these awakened trees posess incredible strength. Both Íoldîr and Lini nod in agreement, having seen such walking trees on rare occasions in the High Forest. “Seek out Aerglas at the Shadowtop Cathedral in the High Forest, and let him know his assistance is needed here at Ardeep. Such powerful allies will allow us to excise the lodge from the forest, and continue to protect its sanctity and purity from the continual incursion of dark forces.” Turnin asks how they will find the Shadowtop Cathedral, and Rond nods his head toward Íoldîr and says, “I’m sure young Colfinnor there can show you the way. Return to us with word of Aerglas and we will make treaty with House Nandar that very day.”
As quickly as they appeared, the wood elves turn and disappear into the forest. Somewhat annoyed at the way they can approach without being detected, Garthog instructs Loioish, his pseudodragon familiar, to remain on watch in the trees by flying ahead and letting him know of any approaching elves, or other creatures too for that matter. The party mount up the horses and wagon and make their way back to Nightstone, confident that they have made the first steps towards a lasting peace.
More in Part 2…
Chugiak Tinkerer 