Campaign Chronicles-8-Welcome to Aspenwood
View the previous chapter of the chronicles: Campaign Chronicles-7-Death claims Syrin and Alderick
Chapter 8. Welcome to Aspenwood
As the team of adventurers continued along the trail cut through the forest, they found themselves nearing Aspenwood. However, just before our adventurers arrive to the city, they find a horrific sight happening just down the hill along their path. A human is talking to a lone Drow Elf! Eek! As the seconds creep by, it is apparent that this is no friendly encounter as the human begins to run toward our party. Sensing the urgency of this encounter, our heroes proceeded to intervene with force. The lone Drow elf surprisingly was not alone, he had brought friends! Two wicked hounds from the depths of hell and something that was flittering about, spewing lava (a lava mephit).
As the party would soon find out, this human's name was Drakom and he was a traveler from the lands north of Sparrowdale. For some odd reason, the drow were pursuing him. Our heroes flew into the fray of combat. Pengarond 'Quickeye' Miretano actually stayed behind a moment at the command of Alderick. He placed the blessing of Corellon Larethian upon the party and then proceeded into combat with the stubby dwarf Astronom following slightly behind. The evil drow apparently was a spellcaster! Quickeye merely scoffed at that thought as he raised his sword to the heavens and cried out, "Sahandrion!" His longsword crackled with divine energy, and as he swung it a replica made of pure force hurtled towards the surprised drow. Unable to combat against the magical sword that could not be hit, the drow was soon traveling to his maker. The two hell hounds zigged-zagged about and confronted Astronom. Thinking him to be an easy target, they bathed him in flame. Some parts of his beard were singed but this only angered the dwarf further as he raised his war hammer in response. He was able to score multiple hits upon them but the final blows belonged to Pengarond who skewered them like a kabob. The only threat remaining was the little lava mephit that was already wounded from an arrow shot by Alderick. Soon, this mini-menace was dead upon the dusty trail. Drakom managed to find a cryptic message on the corpse of the drow. It read, "Drakom must be stopped! He has stolen the staff. He must not learn of it's greatness.". This merely confused Drakom as he had been presented with this gorgeous mithril staff by his master.
As the horses continued on the wagon wheels creaked and groaned. You began to wonder what was worse, the uncomfortable wagon or listening to that damned gnome's shrill voice making idle conversation the entire way. The party continued their way to Aspenwood - The large town that is known for it's marketplace. Upon reaching the northern entrance to the city (High Rd), the party found themselves being stopped and questioned by the city guards. They found themselves impressed with the decapitated troll heads for it is no secret that one of the city leaders, A dwarf by the name of Rannos Trollender, absolutely loved to chop trolls into little bits. The guards informed the newcomers of the city's strict disciplinary methods to crime and explained that they would want no trouble from the party. At this moment in time, Drakom took the guard aside for a private conversation. At the conclusion of that conversation, the guards freely let the party continue down High Rd and had mentioned about the Duke's Chalice, a prestigious inn in the noble's district.
Weary from their many days of travel and eating meager trail rations, The Dukes Chalice sounded like a grand idea to Syrin, Drakom, and Pengarond. Al would join in slightly later. As the party was being seated in the inn, Pengarond decided to make a rather lewd comment to a very pretty waitress. He was slapped across the face for his efforts and a new waitress was provided soon after. Our party found themselves impressed by the menu of the Duke's Chalice. This truly did appear to be a fine establishment. Where else could one buy wine that was 1,400 years old? Crikey!
As Syrin and Al were enjoying their bowls of fruit, and Sir Pen drank of the Vulcan's Fury, their eyes took in the other patrons of the restaurant. Could it be?! Why that man over there looks surprisingly like the same sorcerer who killed us via a nasty fireball! After a brief hushed conversation among the table, Pengarond decided to stroll on over and introduce himself. This man, Marquis Sardeaux, was not only surrounded by beautiful women, but apparently was one of the wealthy nobles of Aspenwood. He graciously invited Sir Pengarond to wine and dine with him. While the two discussed nobility and the upcoming tournament (Tournament: Brawn and Magic) a test of brawn and magic use), he asked Pengarond to please retrieve his friends for he would like to get to know them as well. At this moment in time, Drakom, weary from his endeavors of traveling announced that he would rather prefer his quill, parchment, and spellbook and that he was going to get a room in which to scribe in for a few hours.
Marquis Sardeaux was soon joined by a rather apprehensive druid, Syrin, who refused to kiss his ring in greeting. Unlike Syrin, Al appeared to give the nobleman a warm atmosphere. Soon, Sir Pengarond was sipping Praetorian Cellar, the oldest (and most expensive, 900gp) wine the establishment had to offer, while Al was sipping Erinyes Ambrosia, the second best (and only costing 100gp). The only topic of interest to Syrin was in regards to treasure hunting, which was one of many of Marquis Sardeaux's past times. During the conversation, Syrin, Al, and Pen all tried to weasel out of the Marquis his place of residence. All he would offer them was that he lived in the Noble's District and that he frequented the inn often. Al went so far as to "use the restroom" only to cast detect magic and reveal that the noble's ring was glowing, as well as his boots. Eventually, Al retired for the evening and at the suggestion of Marquis Sardeaux, he was to use the bath here at the Duke's Chalice as the public bath was "eww". Al soon found himself being massaged by a professional masseuse and soon after retired to his rented room.
Continue on to the next chapter of the chronicles: Campaign Chronicles-9-Touring and Adventuring in Aspenwood
