Into the Mist Vale

The Misty Vale, home to believed of treasure, wealth, and fame. This land was cut off from man as orcs overan the land for many years as a mist hovers the land. The mist is still there but the orcs have retreated and first forays back into the land has begun. A small town has formed in the vale for almost a decade now. Still the land is barely explored and its riches still hidden. Word is out and adventurers have begun to come to seek their fortune.

You are one of those adventures, though as you head towards the vale you hear of great dangers within as well. The tales of bards convince you that it is better to team up as an expedition into the lands than try and go by yourself as you hear the fate of many such loners found dead in the land.

As night approaches, you come to a thriving inn, The Drunken Dragon, at the end of Drakmar pass the way through the Kummer Mountains and into the vale. As you enter the smell of beer and food assault your senses. It is not loud but the hum of conversation is found throughout as you see a variety of races mingling. You can tell some are merchants but many have steel strapped to their sides with the same look of adventure as you.

A bard sits in the corner playing a harp, A box lies at his feet with a few coins inside. A mallard in chain armor sits nearby watching the crowd with a club by his side. A couple of serving girls weave through the tables as a halfling walks up and down behind a bar serving drinks to those who approach.

A small group of men huddle in the corner making plans of some sort at a table. In another corner sits a couple, one wearing armor and the other smaller of stature with their back turned to you with a hood up. A group of merchants sit together talking as you see their guards stand against a wall watching anyone nearing their table.

There is a smattering of a few others wandering around getting food or drink, as they make introductions with each other.

Felsrudd catches one of the servant girls with his question. She doesn't miss a beat as she serves when she answers you saying Good sir, It is 5 silver for a shared room and food. Private room will be extra as we are filling up. Just ask up at the bar for a roomkey and pay for your food. Find a seat wherever is open and I will be around shortly, with some hot stew and drink, anything more will be extra. We have mead and beer on tap for the night.

Fermer finds a good spot to watch what is going on. The serving girls are busy and one finally comes over saying, Good evening good sir, what can I get for you tonight. Stew with bread is on the menu tonight but for a bit more I am sure some meat and potatoes could be added.

Krisanna, hops up to the bar and the halfling gives her a friendly smile, Don't see to many of our kind come through these parts. Welcome and make yourself at home., he says as he fills a tankard with mead. He places it down in front of you with his hand on the handle. As he holds onto the tankard he says, As much as I like hospitality, here business comes first. After that I will gladly spend time hearing about your travels and give you the lay of the land.

Lothar comes in the the inn and finds that at first no one notices him. After his announcement a few people chuckle and a few others ignore him. He hears a couple whispers of Freshmeat, or newbie. Still a a few watch him in what you think maybe curiosity of what you may bring to an adventuring party. At the bar the halfling barkeep is just finishing speaking to a female halfling at the bar. he stand unpon a raised step behind the bar and says, to you while holding a tankard in his hand, Well good mage, stew and bread is the meal for the night but I can get you just bread and cheese if you like but I will have to get someone to get a wheel of cheese up from the cellar.

Halwyld, takes his seat and a servant girl comes over as you begin to play, Good evening sir, How may I help you, a hearty stew and bread is the main course of the night but if you want anything special that will be for the cook to decide, we have beer and mead on tap as well though anything more exotic the barkeep will help you.

The influx is the major news. What isn't being said is that it is dangerous to go alone. More than one adventurer has been brought in dead just traveling to the vale. It is best to have a group that has your back.
Still what I have heard of as treasure being found means there is plenty for everyone and worth the risk.

I will be back with your food. she then wonders off toward the kitchen checking on tables as she goes.

The servant girl seeing you all together brings your food and drink to the table you have congregated at by the bar.

Is there anything else i can be getting for you gentlemen?

The waitress looks at your group, Well, most of the adventuring groups formed just like it seems you are doing. An occasional group comes that have been traveling together for a time. The tend to be usually a smaller group but better armed and you can see they have been in a scrap or two. Then you have some like the couple in the corner, they seem to have a different feel to them.

The stories that get mostly told here are of those leaving either because they are scared off or have found enough riches to leave the vale. I am sure you can find plenty of information in Outskirt. That is the town that has cropped up in the vale. It is said to be on ancient site, some say town others say castle or even temple of some sort. whatever it is it is a ruin.

i will throw you guys a rumor of a guy who left here in fear. You may have the stomach for it. There is supposed to be an unholy place in the iron forest. It has stones rising into the sky. he said its name is the Riddermound. supposedly a dark knight was chained there by the gods when the world was young. he said the knight was buried alive along with his family, servant but also his riches. This guy claimed to have found it but said he left in fear of his life and refused to say anymore about it.

As you look over at the two people sitting in the corner. At first glance they seem fairly non-descript. The smaller one has their back to you and has their hood up so you cannot tell who or what they. The bigger of the two is and older human and while eating is also watching the crowd in the room. Their cloths you notice though looking at seem like common cloths you notice do not have any wear on them and without getting closer seem well made. As you watch them the older one looks at you, his eyes catch yours watching him.

Outskirts is the only real town in the valley. The road here through the pass leads there.

I haven't been there do I only know what I have been told. I think the forest is to the west of it.

The waitress leaves and another swings by with rest of your food and drink.

As you sit and talk, the couple you watched get up and head upstairs to a room. You get the impression the other person maybe female.

As it is getting later in the evening. It seems the merchants are also getting ready to head to bed. The other group who looks to be adventures are still full swing into drinking and gambling.

A few others enter the inn but they seem to be locals.

The mage that had spoke with you seems ill at ease and after a few more comments about him for the way he introduced himself to the inn. He seems to get red in the face and embarrassed and storms out of the inn slamming the door behind him.

As your group forms things seems to settle in the inn.

You leave the inn early that morning beginning your trek into the Misty Vale. The odd couple from the night before is missing but the other adventuring party is still present, not really moving as some still sleep off their ale, while others seem blurry-eyed.

The servant girls are quick to provide a simple breakfast and bundle up any provisions that you ordered. You are then off to find your possible fame, glory and riches.

The ancient and narrow pass runs through the mountains like an axe gash. Steep, moss-covered slopes rise to the
snow-laden peaks that can occasionally be glimpsed through the veils of cloud. Somewhere ahead lies the Misty
Vale, the legendary place where the empires of old stored their wealth and magical artifacts.

It is the rumor of these treasures that has brought you here – the vast riches and arcane secrets hidden among
the ruins on the other side of the mountains. And you are not the first to be lured by such temptations. Since the orcs
started leaving the area, about a decade ago, a growing stream of settlers and adventurers have made their way to
the Misty Vale.

But you know the way is treacherous and fraught with peril. The old imperial roads have crumbled and the mountains are teeming with danger. The Drakmar Pass, where you now find yourself, is particularly infamous. The dwarves of the Kummer Mountains have warned that the humans’ return has attracted brigands and ravenous beasts to the area.

Your fears come true when you suddenly hear a disconcerting cry. You see a figure kneeling in the middle of the rocky trail, only twenty or so meters ahead of you. The figure is one of the two of the couple from the day before. Their back is to you as they hold a staff in their hand and sack or bundle lies at their feet. That is not all that lies there as the other larger person lies at their feet.

Halwyld you don't see anything out of place, though it seems that whoever is kneeling is checking the body.

Krisanna moves to the edge of the cut where the shadows are long still from the rising sun.

Fermer moves forward to the person kneeling as he gets closer he sees arrows sticking out the fallen companion. As he addresses the person, the person turns and reveals a young maiden with a look of concern and fear on her face.She points ahead of her as three goblins come out into the open, with bows drawn and ready to attack.

Also to your right out of a cluster of rocks three more appear, moving so quickly that only Browyn is able to act before they spring their trap as he heard them just before they made their appearance.

When moving tell me how far from your starting point. Like 2 right 2 forward.

The goblin that Browyn fires at tries to dodge but fails taking the arrow in the chest and collapses.

Each other remaining goblins fires an arrow at each one of you except Krisana who apparently has not been spotted yet.

The one facing Fermer is trying to hit him with a shortsword. but misses.

One fires at the maiden, who looks like she was going to possibly cast a spell but dodges the attack stopping her attack.

The one firing at Felskrudd arrow aim was true (will be a hit unless dodged).

The one firing at Halwyld was well off his aim and goes wide.

Finally, one fires at Browyn and aims well enough to hit him in the arm (2 points after armor).

Krisanna moves stealthily along and is able to get a surprise attack on the goblin. His face is in shock as he is stabbed from behind and then slumps to the ground.

Feeling confident as you easily drop 2 of the 6 goblins, you hear a growl of a large beast behind the rocks to your north. Your confidence brought back into reality that this fight is for your lives.

Initiative order
Fermer
Unknown monster (1)
Krisanna
goblins
unknown monster (2)
The Maiden
Halwyld
Browyn
Felskrudd

Fermer misses the goblin in front of him as he was distracted by a Goblin riding a large Warg (giant wolf) comes around the rocks and heads his direction. It is 10 meters behind the center goblin to the north.

Krisanna stabs the goblin in front of her, causing it to recoil but instead of trying to dodge it he strikes back at her but misses. Another goblins charges forward at Krisanna seeing her take down one of his own also swinging at her but also missing.

One goblin takes a swing at the maiden and she is just able to parry the blow with her staff.



The goblin takes a swing at Fermer but cannot connect as well. The goblin riding the warg runs up to Fermer jumping towards him and swing his serrated sword hitting him solidly (4 points after armor).

Felskrudd is accurate using his sling hitting the same one Krisanna just attacked and the goblin falls back onto the ground as the sling hits his head.

Initiative
Fermer
Browyn
Warg Rider (m)
Krisanna
Goblin
Warg Rider (m)
Felskrudd
Halwyld

The warg rider gives out a battle cry inspiring the remaining goblins

Krisanna hits the goblin in front of her and injures it greatly but it turns and stabs Halwyld and the dwarf fall down by the savage hit.

Fermer is attacked again by the goblin in front of him and misses.

The goblin attacking the maiden who has been on the defensive the entire battle finally breaks through her defense and score a hit on her arm.

The Warg rider heads to defend his ally being attacked by Krisanna charging at her with his spear. he hits her head on, fortunately she turns at the last minute so the spear does not hit her dead on but still damaging none the less (7 hits after armor).

Felskrudd hits the goblin facing Krisanna and it goes down as it was preparing to swing at her. She now only faces the warg rider.

The goblin swings at the maiden and misses.

The goblin rider let's out an evil howl (anyone within 10 meters (5 spaces) must make a will check against fear.)

The warg is biting Krisanna (need dodge roll).

The maiden finally able to catch a breath from relentless attack raises her hand and chants out some words, a small fireball erupts from her hands and strikes the goblin before her. It sears him but he remains standing though hurts his anger keeps him moving.

The arrow seems to sink deep into the warg and causes it to let out another long howl (make will check against fear if within 10 meters)

The goblin seeing fermer as the more serious threat takes a swing at him (he hits so decide if you want to parry or dodge or take the hit).

the maiden swings her staff at the goblin but misses.

The Warg rider seems to be on his last legs as the slingshot hit him. Still seeing Browyn's face pale even though he took an excellent shot just moment before causes anyone around him (10 meters) to become scared (all will checks are now at disadvantage).

All that is left is the warg rider and he and the wolf look injured.

Felskrudd hits his mark and the warg rider stumbles and almost goes down but at the last second stay mounted. He is still in the fight but the warg is severely limping and the rider not much better.

You continue to travel down the pass and it begins to widen into the vale. The mist covers the land filtering the sun and making it overcast and in some area you see fog where visibility would be an issue.

Still as you head down you see a person further down the road sitting on a downed tree eating.As you approach he notices you and rises, you can tell he seems wary but still quite not make him out.

With Felskrudd comment you all begin to head down into the vale once more, Krisanna and Lothar together and the rest finding a place next to the wagon as you begin your journey down.

Soon the wagon tracks give way to a paved road that cuts through the high grain fields. Countless smells invade your senses: manure, smoke, and rotting vegetables, but also freshly baked bread and grilled meat.

The road leads to a settlement surrounded by a palisade, with lots of small houses with smoking visible beyond its sharpened logs.

The village gate is closed and flanked by two low sturdy towers of stone with crenelations and pointed wooden roofs. Drawing closer, you hear a stern voice of a man barking at you from one of the towers:

halt, Strangers! State your names and business or turn back to the forest - this is a place of peace and decency.

The man in the tower says, I have a couple of your names but who else do we have here? I see a few more than that. It would be good to have a name with a face.

As the last of you introduce yourselves the gate begins to creak open. Finally it opens enough that the wagon can fit through. Standing in the gate stand a man, looking to be in his 40s wearing studded leather and an open helm. A large shield is on his back as is a crossbow. His hand rests on a broadsword in its scabbard.

The man begins to speak with the same voice as the one you spoke to in the tower.

Welcome to Outskirt. I am Captain Hardy, I lead the defenses here. As long as you remain peaceful, we will not have an issue
This is treacherous lands and this is one of the few safe havens in the Misty Vale. If there is any questions I can answer I will.

Well , sure we have a graveyard outside of town. It is kind of serve yourself as I hate to say it many leave and never return and even fewer bring bodies back with them. Dranath kind of takes care of it. He lives in a hut near one of the peaks in the town. You will learn quick that this town is built on some type of old ruin. There is speculation to what but it has served well as a place of protection.

The best place to find information and get the lay of the land if you will is the Three Stag Inn, Vagnhild runs it and is the best place to start finding whatever you are looking for.

You enter the safety of the town and you hear the gate close behind you. As you look around you see new construction of buildings but also see evidence of a much older as well like the town was built on top of something much older.

As you being to go further into the town hardy calls out, The Inn is the largest building in town to the north and Dranath lives in a hut on top of the hill/ruin in the middle of town.

You continue walking and silently chatting though you see Elaria start to watch those of you who are whispering.

Let me guess, Hardy sent you.

I kinda oversee the cemetery. I am a simple healer and no priest. You are more than welcome to use the cemetery to cremate your friends. If you bury the remains leave a marker so we know where they lay.

he scratches his head and says, I guess not. Most people here just make do, we don't really have a town government at least officially. Hardy runs the militia and well everything else is kind of overseen by the tavernkeep. Things started small but we have had an influx shall we say of a variety of sorts. Most are just trying to start over away from past lives and the rest well they are trying to make their fortune. We haven't been here long enough to be "established" , he says using air quotes.

Not that I am aware of but this is a strange place with lots of mysteries. We did have a grave robber but he was dealt with.

You enter back into town through the south gate and it opens while you come to it. hardy gives you a wave as you pass through.

instead of going up onto the ruin you travel the eastern side of the town until you come to the village square. The inn, the smithy, and the shop all face an open space where a weathered statue rises from the earth. It is a strange relic from a bygone era, which seems to depict a warrior in antiquated armor.

What calls to you right now is an impressive two-story building with a massive, thatched roof and half timbered walls. Outside the door hangs a red sign that says, "The three Stags- beer, bed, and food at heavenly prices." cheery voices spill out onto the street, along with the smell of roasted boar.

After you received your free mead from the owner shortly after the barmaid of indeterminate age with long blond hair, kind green eyes and deep dimples that you have seen running around comes over to you. Though she looks like she is a bit worn she gives you a big smile and says happily ,Welcome I am sorry it took so long but I am here to take your order

She smiles and says, Tonight we have a treat of smoked boar. Otherwise we have a venison stew or a chicken soup. All comes with some bread and potatoes.

At that the barmaid arrives with a large platter of food.

I overheard you speaking about the wilderness and of finding some type of treasure. I might be able to help give you some direction though it would have to be after my shift is over.

Annabella the barmaid says quitely, When I get off of my shift i will meet you at your rooms and we can discuss things. she then goes off and serves other patrons of the inn.

You enjoy your dinner and are given your room key from Vagnhild, who seems very happy and pays Elaria extra attention. At one point the group with the mallard leaves but they eye your party as they go.

The girls are given a room at the end of the upstairs hall and there are 2 rooms for each of the guys on opposite sides of the hall by the girls room.

The night wears on and everyone begins to prepare for bed. There is a soft knock on your door, as you answer you see Annabella. She speaks softly, Let's all meet together in the room for the girls as it is the largest room in the inn.

You gather together and she stand before you and says, Many adventurers have come through these doors. I work for a group who seeks the truth about the Vale and the mysteries within. I think you are able bodied to help me. seeing how you took care of those who died in your fellowship, I believe you are more honorable than many who have come through. I have a clue to a place that looks like a good place to explore. If you succeed in exploring it I am willing to help you with knowledge that we have found about the vale and even give you more places to explore as we uncover them. I am willing to answer what I know about what I have discovered about the vale and though we are not rich my organization can help fund you a little but the treasure you find may well be greater than what i can offer.

The Skulduggery as you call it is because Those I am associated with are not the only people invested in the Misty Vale. I am sure you saw the Knight in the tavern room. She is part of the Keepers of the Immaculate Flame. They seek to bring back the Dragon Empire. she looks you all over and then states, Maybe I should start at the beginning. Settle in as this may take a bit.

A thousand years ago, the vile demon Sathmog came to our world. His prophet was a village priest named Azrahel Koth. The demon whispered dark secrets in his ear until his magic grew so powerful that he could open a rift between the worlds and allow his dark master to take physical form. With Azrahel Koth as his herald, Sathmog proclaimed a demonic realm in the world of humans that lasted two centuries. It was a time of darkness and evil, but also one of incredibly rapid human expansion at the expense of the elder kin – dwarves, elves, giants, and halflings.

As time passed, the opposition to Sathmog grew, until one day a young hero named Eledain managed to summon the ancient dragons charged with guarding the world from demonic influence. Mounted on dragonback, with the elder kin as his allies, Eledain finally defeated the demon. The beast was banished on a hill in the depths of the forest, but as his final act he cast a curse which he said would spread a sickness throughout the world and one day be its undoing.

Azrahel Koth was captured, but since his master had made him immortal, Eledain’s knights could not slay him no matter how hard they tried. Instead, he was imprisoned in a crypt under an island in a lake in a remote valley, guarded by warriors sentenced to remain at their posts until the end of their days.

Eledain founded a new empire, based on the worship of dragons and their cleansing fire. His realm expanded, cities were built, and paved roads spread through the wilderness. Soon the elder folk grew weary of humanity’s advance, and many left. The dwarves burrowed themselves into the mountain and built a new realm underground. In the autumn of his life, Eledain started to distrust
and fear the dragons who had carried him to victory against Sathmog. To secure his power, the dragon emperor sacrificed part of his soul to forge Um-Durman, a magical sword with the power to slay dragons and demons alike. Finally, the humans would be
free and independent of primeval beings. When Eledain eventually passed away the sword was hidden in a crypt, as the dragon
priests believed the weapon to be too dangerous to be used except in extreme emergencies. Opening the crypt required a special key: a statuette split into four pieces, one for each direction ruled by the dragon emperor.

After Eledain’s death, a power struggle broke out between his sons, and the empire took a tyrannical turn. All protests against
the dragon knights’ rule were severely punished and the realm was beset by strife. Finally, the dragons turned their backs on the empire, which collapsed shortly thereafter. Savage orcs invaded much of the region and many humans were forced into exile.

All that remained from Eledain’s reign were the fading words of monks and knights who continued to worship the Immaculate Flame. But legend has it that part of the dragon empire survived across the sea in the far east.

The Misty Vale was the where the Capital of the Dragon empire stood. The Immaculate Flame seeks the sword as does the those who wish to see Sathmog return.

No, no it is not in where he is. I believe that the sword is here in Outskirt in the ruins it it built on. The sword is believed to have the power to get to the island he is on and actually kill him.

As for me I work for the seekers of truth. Our interest in the sword is that we are seeing the demon's minions increasing. So much that even the orcs are afraid and even leaving the valley. So if things do not change he maybe able to release himself from the prison.

That is why I am looking for adventurers like yourself to find the pieces of the statue so that he may be destroyed or at least kept from using the sword to break free.

It is hard to put a value on them as they could be what saves or ruins the Misty Vale and the surrounding area. If the wrong people get their hands on them they could bring another reign of Demons upon the land or if used correctly rid the world of a great evil.

Yes we have learned there are four pieces. We are trying to find the locations of the pieces but it seemed that they were hidden well. Three of the pieces are believed to be in the Misty Vale as it was divided among his four descendants.Three are believed to die in the Vale itself which is why we believe that they still remain in the vale. The fourth piece it is believed left with one of his descendants. We think it is is in the what remains of the Dragon empire. We have people trying to find the descendants and see if they know where the fourth piece is.

I understand. It goes both ways I guess. That is why I explained so much. I was originally thinking of just giving you some information about a place that would be worth investigating but I hope to be a good judge of character.

So how about this. As you spend time here, find out if what I said is true. I will also give you any leads I have about the statue and other places to explore. If my words match what I tell you , you will know I can be trusted.

On the other hand what I hear about you and how well you do on your explorations will let me see your character and if I should continueto help you.

We do not have much to offer in compensation as what money we do get goes mostly into research. Anything you collect in result of us giving you leads will be your. I believe we can afford giving you lodging here for free but that is all I can offer at this time.

I can tell you that this side of the Iron Forest there's an unholy place with huge stones rising into the sky. Riddermound it's called, named after the dark knight who was chained by the gods when the world was young. They say he was buried alive in that mound, along with his family, his servant, and his riches.

It can be found to the west and slightly north
of outskirt

That I cannot answer but I can say the Misty Vale is ripe for exploration, it is also unfortunately a very dangerous place still.

I will then leave you to planning, I look forward to working with you all. She then gets up and heads to the door. She slips out slowly closing it behind her.