The Kalador Forest

cy 4863 Jan 24th - 25th

Cortasain is horrified by the death of Taryn’s companions at the entrance to the Fulcrum Gate. He allows entry to the ranger, Hoss, the paladin of Malakar, Arvial and his father Calandrin. Inside is a domed room with hundreds of pulsating globes suspended in mid air, the power emanating from them is unmistakable.

Arvial explains that each globe is a one way portal, a means to travel quickly to any point on Grayhawk. "Promethius used them to move around after he had cemented time and fixed the Laws of Creation," the child explains.

Taryn has an idea. He finds a portal that will take him back to the hidden valley, he surmises that time will be stopped inside the Fulcrum Gate. In doing so he arrives back at the exact moment he and his companions enter the triangular towers and therefore manages to reach his familiar eagle before it enters the gate after him. With the eagle secure on his arm he travels back through the portal and back to the party.

After a lengthy discussion about their next move it is decided to head for the Kalador forest which lies on the southern edge of the Nadir Plains. Since Hoss is a royal cousin it will allow them access to King Luthien Stormrider and a possible sanctuary for Arvial.

Through the gate they arrive at Green Haven, Hoss’ ancestral home. It is a huge sprawling city built amongst – and indeed within – the massive trees that dominate the forest. Green Haven is a thriving place full of markets and traders; merchants from every corner of Grayhawk are here.

Soon they meet five travellers. Dio, a rock dwarf warrior, G-Lest, a Jarak Malakr priest, Clytem Grandis, a half Marraq warrior, Brazer Silverbow, another half Marraq warrior and Sergei Streng, a Myrid thief. With these companions in tow Taryn decides to find rooms for the night in one of the many innhouses before coming up with a plan.

The two Marraqs Brazer and Clytem actively seek out minds and danger. The two most curious and powerful minds of all are their two new companions; Taryn and Arvial. They settle into the taproom of an inn and one topic dominates all conversation. The Elenorians have declared war on Myrid.

Next morning there are celebrations to mark the sixty second anniversary of the king’s ascendancy to the throne. The party move through the market place and stop at a store where Sergei the thief buys a rat with the intention of training it to do simple tasks. Taryn uses speak with animals to determine which is the most intelligent rat.

Taryn realises that they need help. He moves through the Guilds District and realises that help could be closer at hand than he thinks. He recalls a conversation with Viator Varkos – the King of Thieves – in Hell’s Bay when the ancient thief told him that he would always be close or at least have agents closer. "We head for the thieves’ guild!" he proclaims.

Into the noble quarter where there are more heavily armed Kal guards than in any other part of Green Haven. Brazer sweeps for minds under the direction of Taryn; "Find me a thief," he asks. Brazer soon finds several wandering through the noble quarter and Taryn approaches them. The startled thief points them to the Silk Glove Inn, the hidden headquarters of the Thieves’ Guild.

Situated in the Restaurant Quarter the Silk Glove is a wealthy innhouse full of the richest merchants and noblemen. The innkeeper is surprised therefore when Taryn and his rowdy band demand to be served. Soon a slender heavily armed Kal appears called Kasnar. Brazer gets into his mind and realises that this man is the head of the Thieves Guild, an astute and powerful elf. The Marraq also notices something unusual; deep within his mind is a black space, an impenetrable place that not even Brazer’s telepathy can penetrate.

"You will be more comfortable in a private room," Kasnar suggests.

Once inside Kasnar reveals himself and Taryn persuades the guildmaster to help them (Brazer throws an image of Viator Varkos into his mind). Within minutes a plan is hatched; the party intend to go to the king and present themselves using Hoss’ influence to get them close. Kasnar tells them that the king is being courted by a high ranking Elenorian diplomat called Vonidar.

Soon they head north into the forest led by Kasnar. An hour after they left Green Haven they are attacked; twelve robed and hooded figures emerge from the trees and the undergrowth with swords aloft. Calandrin moves Arvial behind him for protection.

Taryn catches the first blow and rams his fingers into the eye sockets of the first opponent. Blood and flame sprout from the lethal wound, the flames touch another assailant and he too is engulfed in primal fire. Dio the dwarf takes a crunching blow to the leg and falls down but lashes out with a greataxe to decapitate his foe when he falls. Calandrin and Taryn take the offensive, their blades dance dangerously and expertly – five more are slain in their blistering assault.

Taryn catches one of the last opponents and hurls him to the floor, a knee to the throat secures the attacker as Calandrin mops up the rest.

Brazer removes the hood to reveal an Elenorian; further interrogation reveals that they have been sent by Vonidar. Taryn slices open the elf’s throat before declaring his intention to kill the meddling diplomat.

After a nights sleep in the forest they are up early and head for the palace itself. Before long two heavily armed Kal soldiers appear before them. As soon as they spot Hoss they kneel and bow; "How may we help you my lord?"

"Take us to see my uncle," Hoss says.

To their astonishment they move through an army camped in amongst the trees. Thousands of Kals regimented and preparing for battle are before them. The two officers explain that the king wants a quiet mobilisation due to events in the north.

Hoss leads them into the expansive palace grounds but is soon stopped by Aluthar, the kings wily old chancellor. "Well met Hoss, haven’t seen you here for some time now."

Clytem invades the chancellor’s mind but the powerful Kal plucks out their plans and smiles. Directly to Taryn he says; "There will be no blood shed by you this day. The diplomat is under the protection of the king himself and I will not allow him to harmed – such things are bad form."