Northlands Pt 2

Thoren's Tale

The mead hall has been much reduced since his father's death a few months prior. He fell in battle to a poisoned arrow. The clan's rune priest Victy died as well. His father left no instructions on who should take Thanedom and with it, Brita. Gunnar, his twin, friend and rival were 2 of the 9 remaining children our of the 14 borne. The warriors of the Thane decided on a competition between Gunnar and Thoren. It was a three part competition. Gunnar won the skill competition (hidden ring). Theron bested Gunnar in the wisdom competition with an answer to three riddles from the Druids. The third was to decide the Thanedom. Gunnary brought the thanedom's only enchanted sword, and his dishonor was discovered. Gunnar claimed it was a mistake and claimed innocence. Many within the thane did not believe him.

A month past, Thoren was wed to Brita, but missing his brother, went looking for Gunnar. to the north, he went into the Cursed Woods. A creature called Hrothgralm lives there. It is said Hrothgralm's teeth and claws crackle with Thunder. Thoren entered the woods and found Hrothgralm's trash pit. It's mother, a creature called Unglaca is believed to be a half witch-beast. Among the bones in the pit, Thoren found Gunnar's charm. Seeking revenge, Thoren hunted for the beast but was unable to find the lair.

In two days, the honeymoon commences which seals Thoren's marriage to Brita. Hrothgralm followed him back to the mead hall, and now terrorizes the thanedom by taking those that venture out alone. They lost the only means to kill Hrothgralm when Gunnar left with the enchanted blade.

Perazada gives Thoren the large golden ring.


Through the festivities, the group discovers the following details:

• There's a sacred grove where one can find Silver Thorns. He has one of the three secrets to enter the grove (which grove).
• Hrothgralm lives near the lake known as Silver Tears.
• Hrothgralm is large, half-man, strong. Seems to be able to call down lightning, most likely due to his mother. He may be related to one of the giant races.

Search for Hrothgralm

As the group is preparing to leave, they are approached by two members of the thanedom. Bjorn thanks us for the deed we are about to do. Recovery of honor may help the hall. Corrigan gives him with the enchanted seaux. Brita also thanks the group. She would like to go with us, but has not been trained in weapons. She also expresses worry for Thoren's recent depression. She does provide the group with a draft of healing.

Cursed Woods

The group's trek through to the Cursed Woods is uneventful. Stone trolls spot the hillsides. The terrain shifts at the entrance to the woods. The trail they have been following all but disappears. Malaise covers the area.

Corrigan senses the warding magic surrounding the woods. For those not so inclined to notice the subtle magics, there are physical reminders of who owns these woods. Many of the trees exhibit troll size claw marks in the trunks. Once into the forest, the air grows colder, the growth becomes stunted, remaining low to the ground and shifting.

The group faces a serious challenge of their skills to make their way through the forest.
Corrigan makes a dungeoneering check but fails. Verut makes a successful nature check, Ellia provides some details on the magic affecting the area, while Perazada provides an eagle's view from the tree tops. Corrigan and Ellia collaborate to identify some historical knowledge of the woods and the creatures inhabiting it, Verut keeps his keen eye on the surroundings, while Perazada keeps the group moving through the thick underbrush. Corrigan uses his knowledge of magic to block the whispers tormenting the group, Ellia uses a ritual to identify true North, Verut is able to find a stream, and Perazada's diplomacy keeps the group from breaking apart. The stream is heading west, towards Silver Tears. Corrigan summons some Pyrotechnics which illuminates the gremlins stalking the group. With the sudden outburst of light, the gremlins withdraw.

Lake of Silver Tears

The group follows the stream down to the lake, which is really a big pond, about 300' long, dotted with small islands. Some of the islands actually support vegetation. There's a second stream coming into the lake from the north. The group sees tracks along the shore from a large creature, most likely Hrothgralm. Corrigan can feel beacon points, runes inscribed into the trees. Foreflower looks around a tree and becomes alarmed by a red eye.

Expecting trouble, the group prepares. Corrigan and Ellia both take up position off the ground and out from underfoot (in a tree and on a rock). Hrothgralm appears from between the trees.

1			2
	Perazada	Rage, 23 v AC, 13 dmg		Miss
	Ellia	Stirring shout, miss		Miss
	Hrothgralm	hit Per 9 dmg + 6 lightning, Reduced by 10 (Ellia)		hit Verut 13
	Corrigan	Incendiary Burst, miss, flames		Dust Devil, 10 dmg
	Verut	miss, Mt Thunder Atk		hit 19 dmg, 15 dmg taken from Ctr
3			4
	Perazada	16 dmg		Miss
	Ellia	Vis Mock, 12 dmg		7 dmg
	Hrothgralm	hit Perazada		miss, knocked prone
	Corrigan	D.D. missed		Magic, Missile 9 dmg, D.D. hit 14 dmg
	Verut	missed		hit 14 dmg, 11 dmg taken from ctr.
5			6
	Perazada	miss		8 dmg
	Ellia	Jynx, miss, Maj. word (Verut)		12 dmg
	Hrothgralm	miss		Hit Verut, falls prone
	Corrigan	FF 10 dmg burst, puch; D.D. miss		D.D. 15 dmg
	Verut	miss, (Action Pt) hit 16 dmg		hit 14 dmg, 7 dmg ctr
7			8
	Perazada	9 dmg		coup de grace
	Ellia	Vis Mockery, 11 dmg
	Hrothgralm	Runs off, AoA taken
	Corrigan	D.D 16 dmg, brings it back
	Verut	Miss