Hunters of Vengeance

[Killington]

[Killington]

Reserved.

[Killington]

A tall man in dark garb flanked by two moon elves may have been seen speaking with a half-orc Paladin of Helm outside of the city gates. Introducing himself as Cromis, an Akanacian interested in aiding the cause of justice, he and his elven companions ValSarii and Elith spoke to Arkaine of a potential for fellowship between them. As they spoke, the Helmite was by far the louder of the two, Cromis far preferring discretion. At times the discussion was quite heated, with Arkaine making a number of prejudiced assumptions and false notions, but these were all corrected and by the end of the discussion the two men shook hands at the gates of the Chapterhouse and went their separate ways with fellowship.

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[Killington]

((Roster added.))

[Killington]

A man may be noticed in the Elfsong Tavern sitting by the fireplace. He mutters a prayer in an ancient tongue, and then mutters to himself. For almost half the night he sits silently, and only watches the fire, occasionally writing in a small red-and-grey book he habitually carries.

In the deep of the night another man arrives and joins him, similarly dark in garb but lighter in his demeanor, and they sit for some time.

As dawn approaches, a fire-haired woman wearing a black silk robe and a cloak proclaiming her worship of Sune arrives and the three of them speak lengthily in a private dining room.

After hours of hushed discussions and whispered arguments, the woman leaves, and several minutes later the two men leave as well.

[Killington]

A bearded man in a dark gray tunic receives a letter by bird. He opens it where he stand and reads it carefully. As he looks over the scribbled writing, his face turns to one of deep concern.

He retreats to a private room in the Helm and Cloak Inn, not speaking to any he meets on the way, and stays within for the night and the following day. The next evening, he leaves his room and visits the Gate's bird post, giving the pigeoner many envelopes and a hefty bag of coins for silence.

[Killington]

A tall, broad man in a dark cloak and blackened red hide plate is seen outside the gates of the Friendly Arm Inn. He waits there for a time, observing the conversations of those around him. Afterwards, he speaks with a young red-haired woman in a dress, wearing a Sunite cloak. She directs him to a pair of Dwarves nearby and he speaks curtly with the two of Kraak Helzak.

[Killington]

Three Strokes of Thunder ring out across the Sunset Mountains


Two men in dark cloaks and ornamental hoods appear in an alleyway of Corm Orp in a blue flash of magic. One wears dark boiled leather armour, the other equipped with a dark red maille of plates. Accompanying them is a pale blonde woman in a gray robe, more akin to a funeral garment than anything else. They make their way through the small town, ignoring the smallfolk. Once outside they hike through the mountain paths for several hours, the man in leathers leading them along hidden paths.

Hours pass and they trudge through the waist deep snow, mild banter is exchanged but they largely remain silent. A few times they believe they hear something above them, but resolve to continue on for the time being. The man in a rogue's leather leads them further by his map, until they come to the crest of a small hill. He raises a hand, halting the trio, and he slides on his belly across the snow, peeking his head over the snow bank and scanning the goat path on the other side. A caravan, with Zhent guards and a man in a robe making arcane gestures and mumblings.

They hear something again, and they look around nervously. They stay where they are, observing the scene silently and waiting for more to occur. Another wave of sound rushes over them and they discuss their situation gravely. Then, a great elder wyrm roars and lands upon the caravan. It makes short work of the Zhents with its titanic maw and a flap of its hurricane wings. That destruction wrought, it speaks in the common tongue and demands the trio to reveal themselves. Slowly they stand and bow in deference to the enormous beast. A brief and terrifying conversation is had between the trio and that most horrible of creatures, before it takes off in a rush of forceful air.

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After taking a moment to compose themselves, they search the Zhents, ensuring their deaths, and move to the caravan. It bears little goods, but has a fearsome book describing fierce histories and dangerous tales. The woman sees to the dead, commencing a rite over them and conjuring a great flame to set the caravan alight. The man dark plate reaches into his coinpurse and takes out a single silver coin, flipping it into the ruins. He summons a storm, and three strokes of thunder ring out across the Sunset Mountains.

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[Killington]

In the northern region of the Misty Forest, wanderers may happen upon a grisly scene. A man, brought to ruin by some form of high spellcraft, what remains of his flesh bears grim tattoos, and is garbed in furs and hide. A dagger is near the body, warped from the presence of the magic but still identifiable as a common iron fighting knife.

On the ground, clean but among the standing pools of blood is a single silver coin. It is tarnished slightly from use and wear, but is still legible as a coin from Akanax, minted in the year 1351 DR.

The area itself abundantly seeps with positive energy, a sense of calm and order comes over those near the coin.

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[Killington]

A darkly garbed trio; two men in leathers and plate, and a warrior elf lass are seen exiting Beregost. They meet with another man, a ranger of the surrounding region. They move far to the east, and they return with the ranger missing, and they bear a wheelbarrow covered in linen. The taller man in plate has the head of a human woman tied by the hair to his belt. The man in rogue's leathers departs, and the pair remaining travel south through Beregost and Nashkel, asking questions to those they meet.

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[Killington]

A tall man in a full suit of plate and maille with dark crimson leathers and cloth may be seen accompanying three others in the Serpent Hills. They make their way up the mountain carefully, putting any Yuan-ti beasts they encounter to the sword, spear, and spell. Continuing into the temple, their vicious raid of the animalistic serpents grows ever bloodier, as countless serpents fall.

They make their way into the deep antechambers and after slaying a many-headed hydra, make use of a portal to continue deeper into the vast citadel. They crawl through the many corridors, hunting and slaying any Yuan-ti they find, and having cut down a sizeable force, they find themselves at the door to the Queen's chamber.

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They fight valiantly, and nearly slay the matriarch, but they are cornered and swarmed by the vast armies of that palace. Waking up several hours later, they are questioned by the monarch. She demands that that they slay a rival to her very title, musing aloud that their deaths will feed her reputation among her followers.

Reluctantly accepting the geas, they are spared for the time being and step through a portal left by the Serpentine monstrosity. Finding themselves in the midst of a burning civil war down the slopes, they quickly call upon their powers to bless and ward themselves. The battle calling, they fight with strength and prowess, and cut through the hordes of rebellious serpents. Eventually, a few of their number remaining unscathed, they cut down the ballistae and catapult operators, and find their way to the usurper. A great duel is fought between the spearman and the false queen, as his allies lend their aid. After much blood is shed, the blow is struck and she falls, dead.

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Their task complete, they grimly continue the battle, obviously weary as they slice through the ranks of Yuan-ti and make their way south to Soubar. More of them fall and are carried through, or raised with healing prayers, but they prevail, barely.

The vile raid is over, but the rightful Queen remains alive.

Will she live for long?

/// Special thanks to DM Bloodlust for the spontaneous mini-event!

[Killington]

In Beregost, a sextet of varying folk gather in the local inn, trading tales and experiences and drinking in greeting. After some time, they are seen leaving the small Amnian protectorate and marching north. Some fifty miles of walking later, they happen upon a beach, and scout the area nearby. Finding nothing, they turn south, coming upon a vast landed crew of northern raiders. The observe carefully for a time, and spot a wagon arriving from the south. They resolve to lay in wait for the wagon after much debate, and head south, following the secret trails of the natural landscape.

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Lying in wait above a natural canyon, they trigger a stampede of lions, taking the wagon by surprise. As the lions arrive, a vast supernatural storm breaks from the clear sky, striking the guards and sending three deep rolls of thunder through the region. The troupe manages to slay the wagoneers, and rescue a single man from the wreckage. They speak with him, and while he is incoherent at best he manages to express some ideas, and they teleport him away.

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In the Friendly Arm Inn, they call upon Ivan, and while being harassed by the curious bystanders, heal and make several discoveries about the man. The druids take him away, and the others enter the Inn for a good drink.

/// Thank you to DM Golem!

[Killington]

The woods far west of Beregost, a group of many servants of the Doombringer gather. They pray, recite his wisdom, and discuss his teachings at a fine altar to the Lord of the Three Thunders. Nearly a day later, they take hands and disappear in a flash of light. Where they went is unknown.

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[Killington]

WANTED



Marcus Gretch, wanted for the murder of Larence Heppwigg.
The man is rumoured to have escaped into the Cloakwood Forest with great haste.
For any person who present the Flaming Fist with Marcus Gretch, dead or alive, the Bounty is set to a to five hundred gp.

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A tall broad-shouldered man in a dark hooded cloak takes the wanted post down from the bounty board. He reads it carefully, and takes off into the night.

A day hence, he and a small band search the cloakwood carefully, as best as their untrained skills can manage. They meet a woodsman matching the name and description, and after much deliberation give him his justice.

/// Thanks to DM Pancake for the event!

[Killington]

Cromis stumbles upon a grisly scene; five bodies slain horribly with a the murder weapon still on the scene, a vicious curved ritual dagger. He scowls and takes careful notes of the bodies and their positions, drawing a quick sketch of the scene in his journal with a coal stub.

He moves around the bodies and examines them closely, looking for any sign of who they were and where they came from, and particularly he looks for any marks, patterns or wounds that may be symbols, or give clue to the identity of the killer or the ritual slaughter. He searches also for any insignia or designs on the clothing, badges or any other sort of identification on the victims. He searches the surface of their skins for any sign of Bhaalist marks in particular.

He picks up the knife and takes careful examination of it, casting Detect Magic and imploring Hoar for any knowledge about it and the wielder. He resolves to see a diviner later who may be able to look into the blade's past.

Noting a trail of blood leading west, he follows the splatters to the coast where it ends at the shoreline. He frowns and ponders the possibility of a Sahuagin or Pirate attack and teleports to the town of Ulgoth's Beard, asking the sailors, fishermen, and the town know-it-all there if they recognize the make of the dagger.

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