Winterhaven and Beyond

"Valthrun the Prescient," Angus replied, running his hand through his hair. "I think. He's been living out in this area for a few decades now, though I can't be sure that he was in Winterhaven."

"Well, should we go in and see him?" Geldon asked. "I've never been in a wizard's tower before."

Azareth pursed his lips. "I don't know. What do you think, Angus? I know wizards can be a finicky bunch."

"Mostly the ones who live alone. From everything I've heard about Valthrun, he's a pretty friendly guy. Let's knock and see what happens."

Geldon, who was closest to the tower's door, reached up with a fist and banged on the door. "Anybody home?"

Moments passed without a sound. Just as Angus was about to say that they should move on, they heard footsteps and then the door creaked open. A slightly wrinkled old man peered out at them from the darkness behind the door. "Can I help you?"

"Hello, sir. We're new to town, looking for a friend of our, Douvan Stahl?"

"Douvan? How do you know Douvan?"

"We're all friends with him from a variety of ways. He traveled through each of our villages when he was younger, and we became friends with him. We're here on travels of our own, and we heard that he was in Winterhaven. Do you know where he might be?"

"Douvan is studying the Shadowfell Keep. I'm sure he's up there. Why don't you go wait for him at the tavern? I'm sure he'll be there shortly." Valthrun began to swing the door shut. Angus reached a hand out to stop him.

"As a fellow wizard, I was hoping that we might have an opportunity to speak, perhaps share spells and scrolls?"

"Perhaps," Valthrun replied. "When I know you better. Until then, good luck finding Douvan."

The door closed in their faces. "Perhaps it is time to go elsewhere?" Bergeron asked, eyes sparkling and tongue flicking between his teeth in the dragon-born version of a smile. "I for one would like to pay my tribute to the local Gods."

"That's a great idea," Azareth said.

At the temple they met one of the Priestesses, who told them that Sister Linora was out in the surrounding area. As the sun started to go down, they made their way over to the tavern. Inside, they were greeted warmly by Salvana, who seated them against the back wall. On the way in, they noticed an elven woman sitting alone in the corner. "I'm going to talk to her," Azareth said. "It's not often that you see an elf in these parts."

He diverted to her table. "Greetings, sister. May I join you?"

She looked up, eyes dark and piercing. "No."

Azareth was flabbergasted. "Well, can at least offer you a drink?"

"Only if I can remove your bowels with a rusty dagger. Go away."

"I don't appreciate being spoken to that way!" Azareth yelled, drawing stares from the rest of the bar. Bergeron stood up behind him. "I am a cleric of Bahamut, and a member of the River Elves! I..."

"You're a half-elven bastard, unwanted by either race and despised by the Gods. No leave me be."

"I swear, I will not this insolence," Azareth muttered. "I'm going to cast Sacred Flame on your..." He was yanked backwards by Bergeron, who plopped him in a chair. "Are you kidding?" he asked.

"Sorry," Azareth said, sheepish. "You don't know what an insult she just paid me."

"Nor do I care," Bergeron replied. "Stay here and shut up."

Azareth opened his mouth to reply when a large man in an oversized hat and a fur coat bounced into the tavern.

"Hello everyone! How is everyone tonight?"

"Good, my Lord, how are you?" Silvana replied for the tavern-goers.

"That must be Lord Padraig," Angus whispered. "I'm going to invite him over and buy him a drink." He raised his hand. "My Lord! Come over and join us. Drinks are on me."

"I never say no to free drinks!" Padraig replied. He lumbered over to the table and flopped his bulk into a chair. "How can I help you gentlemen?"

"We're visitors to your town. Heard that you might be looking for some help?"

"Oh, ya'll are the folks who stopped by the manor earlier today? Great, great, I was hoping I'd run into you. Heard you took care of a bit of a kobold problem on your way here. Much obliged. Been trying to rid the world of them little critters since I got here. Only problem is these blasted farmers won't form up and wipe them out." He took a sip of his beer. "Don't know where all of them keep coming from. I take an expedition out when I can put one together, wipe 'em out, and the next year they're back again, like nothing happened. Don't know that I've ever seen a kobold female. I've got a theory that they spend all their time either in labor or pregnant. Little bastards."

"They've been getting more aggressive, I hear," Azareth said, leaning forward.

"That's the rumor. I haven't seen any direct evidence. If you're looking for a job, though, the kobolds are down to the south east, typically. They've got a lair down there somewhere." He sniffed. "I'll give you ten gold pieces for 5 kobold heads. Deal?"

"Done."

"Good. Come find me when you've got them." He shifted his bulk out of the chair. "Good evening gentlemen."

They continued drinking in silence. The elf in the corner stood up and left, shouldering her way past Atoll, who was just getting off duty. "What a day. What a boring day!" Atoll said. "I need an ale, Slivana."

Azareth looked around. "If he's off duty, that means the gates are closed. Where's Douvan?"

Angus stood up and went over to the bar. "Did Douvan come in?"

"Umm, no, I don't think he did. Weird. He's only ever not come in once, and he let me know in advance." He sniffed. "He probably just forgot and is staying up at the keep tonight."

"I don't like this," Geldon said, back at the table. "We need to go looking for him."

"We can't do that. We won't get back, and we don't know exactly where they keep is. We need to stay here tonight."

The next morning they woke up, left, and headed out to the keep. They got attacked by some kobolds, kicked their asses, and then the Dungeon Master got tired and went to bed.

Winterhaven

With the kobold bodies searched and hidden, the travelers continued on their way, keeping a nervous eye on the surrounding landscape and their hands near their weapons. As they walked, there was none of the joviality that had accompanied their steps the entire way from Cayo Huesso. The sobering scent of blood soaked death followed their trail.

As they drew closer to the village, more homes sprang up on either side of the road, spread far apart, but a sign of civilization out of the wilderness. But despite the relative abundance of homes, they didn't run into a single person.

"Probably out in the fields, tending the crops. It's coming up to harvest time," Azareth mused to himself.

"They're so defenseless out here," Bergeron rumbled in reply, looking at the simple homes.

"Aye," Angus said, remembering the homes on the outside of the city he had grown up in. His father had never been able to protect them from marauders, because to do so was to leave the city vulnerable. "They know the risks of living outside of the village gates. I'm sure they are better protected than it seems from here."

They came up over a rise in the road, and saw the village wall rising up from the ground in the distance. It was certainly no Caverhelm, or even Cayo Huesso, but out here in the wilderness, it seemed a powerful beacon, an outpost of strength and community in the midst of an otherwise inhospitable wilderness. With their destination in sight, the travelers relaxed a bit and quickened their steps.

Two soldiers guarded the entrance to the village, middle aged, but alert and strong, longswords handging at their side, wearing thick leather armor.

"Angus, why don't you do the talking?" Azareth said, quietly. "They're humans so they're probably be more receptive to you." He glanced to his other two companions. "Maybe you too should stand back and bit and keep quiet. Especially you," he said to Geldon. "We don't need to annoy them with all of your questions."

"You know, guys, I'm not really that bad," Geldon said, sniffing and holding his head high (for a halfling). "How much have we learned over the years, Az, that we wouldn't have known if I hadn't been friendly and curious?"

"I'll keep him quiet," Bergeron said, putting a heavy, scaled hand on Geldon's shoulder. He had to bend his knees slightly to do it.

"Hail, good sir!" Angus said heartily as they approached the gates. "How fares the day for you?"

"Fair enough," the older guard replied. "It's been a slow day, which is always a double edged blade of boredom and relaxation. You four be the first travelers we've seen. Where you bound?"

"We're actually here to visit your fair village," Angus replied. "We've come from Cayo Huesso, seeking our mutual friend Douvan Stahl. Do you know him?"

"Depends," the guard replied, "on what yer planning to do with those weapons once you find him."

"Oh, no sir," Angus replied. "We keep the weapons for protection only. We're on a peaceful mission. Though we did have a run in with a half dozen kobolds not two hours west of here."

"Really? Were ye hurt?"

"Nothing major. We managed to dispatch them all. Does this sort of thing happen often?"

"It does happen on occasion," the guard admitted, thoughtful. "Though usually not right on the road from Cayo Huesso, and not recently. The kobolds supposedly been getting more daring lately, but they've always been round these parts. Lord Padraig, mayor of the town, been trying to eradicate them buggers fer years, but most of the villagers are simple farmers, and do not want to leave their farms to join any sort of expedition."

"Is the mayor the sort of man who might hire outsiders to take care of that sort of problem?" Azareth asked, stepping forward.

The guard looked him up and down. "Cleric, eh? Half elven at that? Don't see many of your kind around these parts. You might be interested in stopping by the temple. They're always interested in meeting clerics. And aye, he might be amenable to hiring some sturdy folk like yerselves." He smacked himself on the forehead. "Haven't answered yer original question yet, have I? Yer friend Douvan's been stayin' at the inn, which is the big building right through the gate. That's where I'd suggest you all try to find some lodgings too, since it's the only place in town. Shouldn't be too tough this time-a year."

Angus opened his mouth to ask more questions, but Geldon stepped forward and interrupted. "Thanks very much. What's your name, good sir?"

"Atoll, little one," he replied.

"Well Atoll, we are Geldon, Azareth, Angus, and Bergeron. Hopefully we'll be seeing you again!" Without another word, he strolled into the village, the others following quickly behind him.

"He was done talking," Geldon replied when asked why he'd ended the conversation. "That's why he brought up the inn."

"Fair enough," Azareth said, who knew how perceptive his little friend could be. "What should we do now?"

"Let's go see if we can get an audience with the mayor. The idea of solving a kobold problem appeals to me lately, especially after the surprise we had this morning," Angus said. They asked a passing villager, who gave them directions to the mayor's walled manor.

Two more guards stood outside the gate to the mayor's home.

"Halt!" one of them demanded, gruff. "What business do you have with the mayor?"

"We're a band of warriors, traveling through the village. We've heard that the mayor has been trying to rid the area of kobolds, and we'd like to offer our services in that area. Is he in?" Angus smiled at the guard, who glowered back.

"You 'warriors' don't look particularly battle hardened," he said, not answering the question. "What makes you think that you can be off help."

Angus dropped the smile from his face and stepped forward. "Well, we've already started. We ran into a half dozen kobolds on the way here. We left them for the buzzards."

"Kobolds? On the road?" The guard spun to his companion, who had been silent and dozing. "Go tell Atoll about this! He must be informed. The village must be protected."

The other guard snapped to attention and began to jog off.

"We already told him!" Geldon called after him. The man stopped.

"I told you to go tell Atoll about this!" the guard yelled. The other man started running again.

"I have to be sure," the guard explained. "Now what is it that you want?"

"We'd like to see the mayor," Angus said

"Well, he's not here. Leave me your names, and I'll be sure that he's informed." The guard turned away.

Bergeron stepped forward and put his hand on the man's shoulder. "When do you think that might be?" His voice was quiet, almost a hiss. The man turned slowly, licking his lips.

"I don't know for sure. Lord Padraig is out for the day, and will be busy for most of tomorrow. Perhaps the day after?" The man stepped backwards.

"Thank you for your time, good sir," Angus said, bowing slightly. He turned and began to walk away.

"Thank you for telling us about those kobolds, and for taking care of them. His Honor often goes to the inn in the evenings, to mingle with the villagers!" the guard called after them. "You might be able to gain an audience with him them."

Angus turned and bowed again. "Let's go," he said to his friends. "I've met too many guards like him in my life."

As they walked away from the mayor's home, they saw and registered a tower in the middle of the village, rising up maybe 50 feet.

"Looks like a wizard's tower, Angus!" Geldon said. "Any idea who might live there?"

In the beginning... Part II

The companions were quiet as they processed the fear in Esmyrelda. Geldon stepped next to Azareth. "I'm pretty sure she's telling the truth. She really believes the story."

Azareth nodded. "Would you like an escort on your gathering, Lady?" he asked.

Esmyrelda shook her head and stepped back. "No, that's ok. I enjoy the alone time. Besides, you'll just frighten away all of the animals if you go bulling through the forest with me, and they're the best part of the walk."

"Will we see you again?"

"I'm certain you will, if you stay in Winterhaven for any amount of time. My grandmother and I go to the Market Square to sell her poultices about once a week." Esmyrelda nodded. "Good luck on your travels, and finding your friend. I'm sure he will be happy to see you all. He hasn't received any visitors that I know of since he's been here."

"Thank you for your assistance, and be careful in your travels!"

The young girl bowed and flickered into the forest, disappearing as soon as she was beyond the tree line.

"Fascinating girl," Angus said, watching her go.

"She's a bit to young for you, isn't she?" Azareth asked, glancing sidelong at the wizard.

Angus shrugged and smiled. "Maybe. But I can always hope, can't I?"

"When my people aren't allowed to mate with anyone outside of our tribe," Bergeron said. "Anyone who does not follow the teachings of Salmirissa is impure, and not worthy of mating with me."

"And how long before you can go back to your tribe to find a girl?" Geldon asked.

"At least 100 years," Bergeron replied, looking down the road. "Shall we continue on to Winterhaven? We are losing daylight."

"Always got your eye on the prize, don't you Bergeron?" Angus chuckled, slapping the massive reptilian on the shoulder. He drew back his hand, wincing.

The travelers continued on their way, and before too long, they could see the smoke from the chimneys of Winterhaven rising high and lazy into the air, dissipating against the clear blue sky. Their steps lightened, and the talk stopped, as all of them saved their breath to get to Winterhaven as fast as they could.

It wasn't even an hour after they left Esmyrelda that Geldon's steps faltered. "Wait," he called to his companions. He cocked his head to the side, looking around. "Listen."

Bergeron put a massive hand on the hilt of his longsword, eyes narrowing and tongue flicking out between his sharp teeth. Angus naturally stepped behind the hulking warrior, running in his head through all of the spells that he had memorized. Rock formations on either side of the road rose 15 feet in the air, providing perfect areas for an ambush.

"What do you hear, little one?" Bergeron hissed.

"Nothing," Geldon replied. "Not a bird, not an insect, nothing. Something scared..."

Four small red reptilian humanoids cam screaming out from behind one of the rock formations, charging Bergeron, who pulled his longsword from its sheath and responded with a cavernous roar of his own, startling a flock of birds from the trees a hundred yards away.

"Kobolds!" Azareth screamed, drawing his mace and stepping forward.

As Bergeron swung at the leading kobold, Geldon stepped backwards, away from the battle. As one of the kobolds, intent of Bergeron, rushed by, Geldon darted forward and drove his dagger deep into the kobold's flank. The kobold screamed and whirled, slashing at Geldon, but the rogue was rolling and out of the way long before the kobold reacted. Bergeron took advantage of the kobolds injury and swung a heavy striking, removing the kobold's head. But this opened up his flank to the other kobolds to attack with their spears, and in an instant, he was stabbed three times. But the combination of his armor and scaly hide protected him from serious injury, and he was able to knock the kobolds away and step back into a defensive posture.

As Geldon and Bergeron tag teamed the kobolds, Angus raised his arms and began to speak quietly, calmly in the language of magic. "Thorin ash tull angulad frigidus!" He pointed at one of the kobolds trying to get around the flank of Bergeron, and a cone of freezing air erupted from his hand, striking the kobold in the chest, instantly freezing his armor and numbing his hands. The kobold shrieked and shook himself, trying to get rid o the effects of the spell. Before Angus could prepare himself for another spell, however, a rock buzzed past his ear, clipping his upturned collar. Angus dropped to the ground, looking around. Another kobold was standing near one of the boulders, putting another rock into his sling.

"Geldon!" Angus yelled. "Slinger! Over there!"

Geldon heard and looked around, then nodded, running as fast as he could toward the slinger. At the last moment, the slinger saw him coming and changed his aim, but it was too late. The rock didn't even come close. With a cry of defiance, the kobold turned and ran from Geldon, disappearing around the rock formation.

Angus, with a a glance toward Bergeron and Azareth to make sure they had the remaining kobolds under control, stood and ran around the other side of the rock formation.

Azareth, meanwhile, stepped up beside Bergeron, swinging his mace at the kobolds. He heard a roar behind him, and spun, just in time to see a much larger kobold, brandishing a short sword, come sprinting around a rock formation to the south. Azareth prepared himself to meet the newest charge, but the kobold ducked his initial attack, and swung backhanded, tearing into Azareth's thigh. The cleric stagger, limping, and spun, launching his own attack at the kobold. But this kobold was much more adept at battle that the other three they were battled, and matched Azareth's attacks with competent defense, keeping Azareth on his toes. Bergeron, press on all sides by the kobolds, sensed the distress of his friend and redouble his attack.

The kobold closest to him didn't even see the sword stroke that removed his arm, nor the massive hand that grabbed him and launched him against the side of the rock he'd been hiding behind. The other kobolds hesitated at the sight of the ferocity, and that was when one of them was hit from behind by a magic missile launched by Angus, who had seen the arrival of the new enemy and paused long enough to launch another attack. Bergeron again took advantage of this distraction to dispatch another kobold, and then is was a small reptile versus a very large one. It didn't take long.

Meanwhile, Geldon managed to catch up to the slinger. "You may as well just give up!" he shouted, jabbing forward with his dagger. "We're going to kill you if you don't."

The kobold laughed in his face, lunging forward with his own dagger, backing Geldon into one of the rock formations. "I'ssss not ssscared of you'sss all, no," the kobold hissed. It ducked to the ground, snatched a rock, and threw it, close range, into Geldon's face. Geldon dove away, and the kobold ran again, filling his sling with a rock. He ran into the forest, but Angus was there, casting a Ray of Frost. The kobold slowed, and Geldon was able to jump onto his back, trying to cut his throat. The kobold shook him off, launched a rock and Angus, and ran again.

Bergeron and Azareth were double teaming the large kobold, but he was a smart opponent, and kept using the rock formations to prevent them from using a flanking movement. Both the cleric and the paladine were using the support of their Gods to enhance their attacks, but the kobold was strong, and was able to prevent a single, final blow from the massive sword of Bergeron.

But finally, determination and perseverance paid off, and they were able to wear him down into a corner. It was Azareth who made the killing blow, crushing the kobold's skull with his mace, calling out to Bahamut to strengthen his strike. The shower of blood that erupted from the kobold's skull led credence to the idea that the prayer had worked.

Angus and Geldon had back the slinger kobold into a corner, and it was only a short moment before he too was cut down. As he fell, he screamed "I'sss sssorry, Irontooth!"

"Who's Irontooth?" Geldon yelled, but it was too late. The kobold was dead.

They searched the bodies, taking the sling, some exploding globes for it, and 34 pieces of silver.

"What should we do with the bodies?" Geldon asked.

They all thought of Esmyrelda wandering through the forest.

"We hide them over in the underbrush, in the forest," Angus said. "And then we go down to Winterhaven."

In the beginning...

The four adventurers sauntered down the road, weapons sheathed but intimidating, enjoying the early morning sunshine in a perpetual state of readiness. The leisurely breakfast they'd eaten that morning was still settling in their stomach, and the moved slowly, knowing that they would be in Winterhaven by mid-afternoon. Douvan Stahl, their mutual friend, would have a beer and a dinner waiting for them, despite the surprise of their visit; of that there was no doubt. The journey from Cayo Hueso had been easy, and a good chance for the four adventurers to get to know one another.

They had gathered in Cayo Hueso, at a tavern called the Lion's Honor. After a hefty bout of drinking, Geldon, a halfling rogue from Tsroth Terat, and Angus, the human wizard descended from a King of the Western Lands, began to talk, and discovered that they were both traveling Winterhaven in search of Douvan Stahl, a mutual mentor and friend. For several days, they had prepared for their journey, getting directions, gathering supplies, drinking, and wenching. Azareth, Geldon's half-elven cleric of a companion, had two pour the raucous and belligerent pair into bed more than once.

On the trios last night in Cayo Hueso, they met Bergeron, a dragonborn paladine from one of the northern tribes. He was also traveling to Winterhaven in search of Douvan, who had traveled to Bergeron's tribal lands to explore one of the ancient ruins there. A Dragonborn Paladine can prevent many fights simply by hulking, and so was invited to come along.

As they chatted on the path, swapping stories about Douvan, and exaggerated tales of battle prowess, Geldon, whose halfing eyesight was quite keen, stopped an pointed down the road.

"Look, everyone!" he shouted, speaking so that even those to simple words seemed to blend together. "There's someone coming. A woman, I think, with a basket full of flowers."

"Is she pretty?" Azareth answered. Despite his vow of chastity, he was always interested in knowing what women looked like.

"She's a little tall..." Geldon replied, which was his standard description of human females.

"Let's talk to her and see if she knows anything about Douvan," said Angus. "You talk to her, Azareth. She won't be afraid of a cleric.

Bergeron allowed himself to the back of the group.

As the young woman approached, her steps faltered and slowed, but didn't stop. The adventurers could feel her apprehensiveness, though she had a smile plastered on her pretty face.

"Good morn to you, travelers! Where are you bound?"

"We are traveling on our way to Winterhaven," Azareth said, holding his hands out to his sides and stepping in front of his companions. He smiled warmly. "Are you familiar with the village?"

"Oh, but of course, good Sir! I have lived in its shadow my entire life. My grandmother and I live not a mile from the walls. Though we don't often have visitors as well armed as yourselves." She stared at the hulking dragonborn, and the massive sword that hung from his side.

"And what is your name, child?" Azareth asked.

"Esmyrelda, my Lord."

Angus stepped forward. "Oh no, my dear, there are no Lords here. We are simple travelers, looking to see the world. And you don't have to worry about our arms. These are for protection alone, either for ourselves, or those weaker than us who need assistance."

"What do you have all of those flowers for?" Geldon asked, scurrying forward to peer into the basket.

Esmyrelda, startled by the halfling's approach, took a step backward. "These are for my grandmother. She makes healing potions and salves out of them, but she's too old to go hunting through the forest these days. She taught me years ago what to look for. I enjoy the walk in the woods. It's a time to clear my head."

Azareth put his hand on Geldon's shoulder, whose hands were starting to itch to touch the flowers, and pulled him back away from the lady. "Aren't you ever afraid to wander through the woods alone?"

Esmyrelda shrugged. "Well I don't like to come out alone at night. And there have been rumors of people being attacked or killed by goblins or kobolds or something, but I haven't seen anything around or been bothered by anything."

"Kobolds and goblins?" Bergeron asked, stepping forward. "Where are they coming from?"

Esmyrelda dropped the basket and stepped backwards.

"Apologies, lady," Bergeron said. "I know my appearance frightens humans. I assure you, I mean you no harm. My Goddess will not allow me to hurt one as small and defenseless as you."

Esmyrelda forced a laugh. "No, I am the one to apologize. I've just never seen anything like you before. And to answer your question, the kobolds and goblins have always had some sort of presence in the area. I've been hearing stories of them for my whole life. But lately, it seems like they have become bolder. Lord Padraig, the mayor of the town, has been trying to raise an army to go fight them, but we're just simple farm-people, not warriors like yourselves."

Silence fell for several moments as the adventurers thought about this last statement. Emyrelda knelt to pick up her flowers; Geldon leapt forward to help her before Azareth could stop him.

"What of a man named Douvan Stahl?" Angus asked after a few moments. "Do you know him?"

"Oh, sure, everyone knows Douvan! He's been here for about a year now. Crazy man, he stays at the inn and everyday to study the ruins of Shadowfell keep. He even goes up there at night! It's a miracle nothing has happened to him yet."

"Why's that?" Geldon asked.

She looked at them each. "Haven't you heard of the haunted Shadowfell Keep?"

They all shook their heads.

She took a step forward and dropped her voice to a whisper. "Well, legend has it that decades ago, Sir Keegan, the Lord of the Keep, went crazy. He killed his entire family, and then started slaughtering soldiers in the garrison. He was such a mighty warrior that he killed many of them before they were band together a stop him. The keep was abandoned, but his spirit, and the spirits of his victims, still roam the keep, looking for more victims to take." She shuddered. "You can hear them screaming in the village, some nights, if the air is clear enough."

"Have you ever been there?" Geldon asked.

She shuddered. "Of course not. And I never will. No one from the village does. Douvan is a strange one, and he's going to regret his bravery someday."