Tholannan is going on very little sleep after spending the past few days in the hospital in High Hermitage. In the process of healing many townsfolk, he has learned a new skill: Cure Mindrot, a disease caused by ingesting Shadowcap.
He has figured out that the skill is made much stronger and can be done without any equipment, if he casts a healing spell while focusing specifically on Cure Mindrot. In doing so, the healing spell fails to heal and HP and it requires a full Shadowcap to cast, which turns to dust when the spell is cast. The time to fully cure the patient is equivalent to how long the disease went untreated.
Tholannan finally leaves the hospital and makes his way to the keep to speak with Ser Payret. Upon arrival, Payret Dayne notices him immediately and approaches him.
PAYRET: “So I see you’ve come out of hiding…”
THOLANNAN: “I wasn’t hiding.”
PAYRET: “Well it seems there has been some shenanigans around town that just so happen to align with the time when you and your friends have been my guests.”
THOLANNAN: “What ever do you mean?”
PAYRET: “My go-to jeweler says someone jammed something into one of his locks and now needs to replace it for 25gp.
THOLANNAN: “Surely I have had nothing to do with that.”
PAYRET: “Hmmm…. One of my smiths says you bullied him into getting 100gp off the price of some crafted armor.”
THOLANNAN: “I know nothing of this either.”
PAYRET: “Fair enough – I’d even write that off anyway. Negotiations are negotiations. However, my best alchemist says four of his finest potions have gone missing. Your girlfriend just happened to show up in his shop with one of these very potions soon after. The total retail price of those potions was 2000gp! The alchemist says she claimed she took it from that maniac maester who was claiming the small folk. This brings the tally to 2,125gp.”
THOLANNAN: “Ser Payret, I was not personally involved with any of these instances. Secondly, the female with which we travel is no girlfriend of mine. I, myself, have been in the hospital helping your townsfolk and have recently encountered my own great loss. What proof do you have that any of this is linked to my band of travelers?”
PAYRET: “Yes, I heard about what happened to the alchemist’s daughter. She was growing up to be a fine gal. Turns out that he may have been able to help her if he had those potions… So to answer your question of proof. No, I have no proof. Do I need proof though? Also, no.
The real question here is whether I believe you’ve done enough good, and will do enough good now that you are one of my Solutionists, to overlook this… or whether there needs to be some restitution…”
THOLANNAN: “I swear to you that I have not had anything to do with this.”
PAYRET: “I am inclined to believe you, but I am not one to believe in coincidence. This does not sit well with me. However, being a man of honor myself, I can spot someone who is likewise, and you Tholannan, are a man of honor. I see that in you. So I will give you a pass, but I do ask that you meet up with your group, find out what they know, and report back to me so we can settle this up.”
THOLANNAN: “I will do as you ask. Where did they go?”
Payret proceeds to tell Tholannan of how the group took the wagons to Blackmont and has not seen them since. For all he knows, they were discovered and are trapped there. He warns Tholannan that Blackmont is a very secure location and that getting in will not be easy.
Burton Qhortho, and Shadowsilver awake to Qarzdaq shivering and babbling. He convulses for a few moments then lies still, continuing to mumble.
Not knowing what this is, but knowing the Blackmont army cannot be far behind, they have no option but to attempt to keep him fed and watered – he seems responsive enough to swallow, but is otherwise out of commission. As they prepare to leave, they clean up around their small camp, being careful not to leave any trace of their existence.
Once everyone is mounted up, Qhortho pulls Qarzdaq behind him onto his horse and takes responsibility of Qarzdaq’s horse.
The markers they had been following, small red pieces of ribbon nailed to evenly spaced trees, leads across a narrowing river and follows alongside another one that branches off to the west. They cross and continue following markers for another 5 days.
During this time they encounter 2 sabretooth tigers and 4 giant toads. All of the creatures were easily dispatched (+340XP) and the toad venom was harvested to supplement their ample stock.
One event worth mentioning was an attempt by Qhortho to have his steed attack two of the frogs. The result was the horse tripping over a root, which twisted the horse around, throwing Qhortho off directly forward, and skidding on his face and chest until coming to rest between the two frogs.
Qarzdaq was also throw off the horse, but being lopsided and with the horse twisting during the fall, Qarzdaq was thrown off at an angle, slamming into a nearby tree.
The markers then make a sharp turn right, directly north, which they follow for the next 5 days without any encounters. During this time, the terrain continues gets rougher until it is mostly rock. As the ground gets rockier, the temperature gets cooler and noticeably windier. Finally, they arrive at a ridge, high above the ground below.
To the left, far off in the distance, a tower can be seen that rises above all the little townships in the area. The tower stands at a cove that leads out to the ocean.
To the right, a moderate-sized keep sits atop a large hill. This town is not sprawling, like some of the others encountered on this journey. Instead this one has tightly arranged towers and battlements and a dense forest surrounds the part of the keep facing the ridge.
Burton descends the mountain, proceeding very stealthily and determines that this clearing was freshly cut and that no one is currently down there. He also notices that the clearing has no easy pathway to get out of the forest.
After arriving back to the group and relaying his findings, they discuss their next best move.
After several days riding, Tholannan sights Blackmont. Not wanting to be seen, and not quite sure where to go next, he makes his way into the trees and brush to the right, off the main road. It is here that he notices what might have been a hideout, with a few horses, but no fire had been made.
After spending several more hours around the area, he realizes a short trail lead into the woods to the west of Blackmont and, upon following that trail, finds a more defined trail leading through the woods. It doesn’t take long to realize that there are markers on the trees along this pathway.
Tholannan makes haste and travels the path as quickly as his horse will allow.
After a few days travel, he is ambushed by a troll who attacks his horse immediately. Tholannan, not wanting to see the obvious conclusion to this encounter, spurs his horse and heals him in the process. They make a clean getaway, but Tholannan knows trolls are excellent trackers. After a safe amount of time, he travels off the trail and sets up a rope trap for the troll. He then gets back on the path and continues on his way.
After another few days, he is stopped in his path by a sabretooth tiger. This one, he knows he can win. He battles the tiger until its death (+ 90XP) then rests. The next morning he mounts up and nearing a full day’s travel, he hears what sounds to be a group of men ahead. He stops in his track and determines the best way to deal with this is evasion. He waits until dark, and sneaks through the woods, going around what seems to be about 100 men. This takes him all night before he finally gets safely back on the trail, which is now much tougher to traverse, though the markers are still present and guide his way.
Shadowsilver and Burton decide they need to warn Horn Hill of the impending attack. Qhortho will keep eyes out for Tholannan and make sure Qarzdaq stays safe.
Upon reaching the lush grasslands below, Burton takes the form of a deer and grazes, while Shadowsilver approaches the town’s main gate. As she gets nearer, she does a quick check to be sure all weapons are out of sight.
The archers above draw their bows, and someone yells “HALT!” This immediately brings her back to Blackmont, arriving at the gate with the carts of supplies being the evidence of conducting official business. Now, these guards only have her word.
Shadowsilver, keeping her hands raised to present no threat, says “I have important information for the Lord of Horn Hill.”
The archers keep their bows taut. Then after a few moments, they relax the bowstrings and the gate opens. Shadowsilver slowly walks in, still making it plain that she poses no threat.
A man walks up to her, “I am Ser Kevan, Lord of Horn Hill, seat of House Tarly. What is this news of which you speak?” Shadowsilver immediately notices the ornate hilt of a blade that is most likely of Valyrian origin.
SHADOWSILVER: “There is a threat to Horn Hill from a dense parcel of forest to the southwest, just before the mountain ridge.”
KEVAN TARLY: “And how might you know such information?”
SHADOWSILVER: “I have seen the evidence with mine own eyes. I find no allies with those who attempt to move on your people. In fact, their interests are directly misaligned with mine, and the enemy of my enemy is my friend.”
KEVAN TARLY: “Well you must excuse me dear for not naming you amongst my friends quite yet. So you come from the south? From Dorne? Forgive my mistrust in this matter. Certainly you did not travel alone to yield such useful information…”
SHADOWSILVER: “No I have not. I travel with 4 others and they are in hiding to be sure no harm comes of me.”
Ser Kevan makes a hand motion and 25 guards come out of various shadowy nooks, surrounding Shadowsilver and drawing their blades. One steps up and slowly removes all of Shadowsilver’s weapons then shackles her wrists.
KEVAN TARLY: “We will hold you in the prisons until we can verify your claims. If true, you will be released unscathed. If nothing comes to pass, you will be questioned… vigorously.”
Shadowsilver is led through the prisons, past guards, and put in her own cell. She quickly picks the locks on the shackles to be sure she has full mobility should she need it.
After continuing his trek along the marked path for days, Tholannan realizes he has the ability to channel messages to those who he is very familiar with. He decides to channel a message to Qhortho about passing an army and that he is following some pathway.
Qhortho responds that they are at a mountain ridge and they will meet him there and not to enter the clearing below.
After more time passes, Tholannan finally closes in on the mountain ridge Qhortho spoke of — and for the first time sees the grasslands in Westeros reminiscent of the lush lands near the Rhoyne. Clearly, the Mother Rhoyne has provided her blessings to this land or how would they be so fertile. He sees the clearing his friends mentioned and knows they must be around here somewhere. His mind begins to ease a little when the silence is interrupted by… “psst… Thol!”
Tholannan’s first reaction is to be on alert, but that immediately transitions to familiarity – Qhortho!
After the expected greetings after such long time away, and catching each other up on the happenings since they last spoke, Tholannan moves towards the unconscious Qarzdaq. He knows this afflication having only seen it during his stay in High Hermitage; this was Mind Rot.
Tholannan explains that he can cure this, but he needs a whole Shadowcap to do it. Qhortho remembers the alchemist saying that one of the herbs they sold was called Shadowcap and they could buy it back from the alchemist if they went back to Blackmont.
Burton, growing into his stealthy disguisabilities, decides it is time to take the form of the grass around him. He circles around the back of the keep into the dense forest on the southwestern side.
He morphs to his natural form and climbs up a tree near the wall. As he reaches the top, he sees many guards patrolling the battlements. He morphs into one of their forms and hops atop the wall. He then nonchalantly finds his way down to the main courtyard and walks up to a loner guard outside the tavern having a drink. He attempts to befriend him and fails.
He tries again with another guard and this time succeeds. Burton and the guard pal around for a few minutes, then the discussion turns to that girl who was taken into the prison. The conversations strays towards aggressive acts of debauchery directed at this woman, and Burton says they should go see her. The guard agrees so they walk through the prison together and arrive at Shadowsilver’s cell.
Burton throws up his gang signs, which Shadowsilver recognizes as thieves’ cant, and she understands that he knows they are there and that everything is ok outside the walls, but nothing has happened yet. She also now knows they have a way into Horn Hill and that she just needs to sit tight.
Burton, knowing that his Friends spell will be wearing off soon, says this woman is boring and they need to get more ale. The guard friendlily agrees and they make their way back to the tavern. Burton quickly slips away as the spell wears off and the guard, friendly just a moment earlier, now picks a fight with another guard and seconds later, a brawl breaks out as Burton climbs the steps to the battlements and makes his way to the rear of the keep while this distraction is taking place.
Burton waits until the guards reverse their patrol, then hops off the wall onto a tree and slides down, then morphs into a deer once again and leaves the woods for the grasslands.
A day passes and nothing is happening outside… The Blackmont army must be getting close by now.
Shadowsilver grows hungry; her guards refuse to feed her and only give her small amounts of water at time. She picks the lock to her prison door, then quietly and slowly slides it open to peek out. The guards nearby do not see her, but she sees down the hall enough to notice more guards along the walls. She’s itching to kill, but thinks better of it… for now…
Early the following day…
500 men come pouring out the gates of Horn Hill, 200 of which remain stationed outside the front gate of Horn Hill; 300 of them are headed directly toward the dense forest where the clearing had been found.
As they arrive at the forest’s edge, they surround it and make their way into the woods, with the forest looking as if it had absorbed the army into it like a sponge. They completely disappear from the view of Qhortho, Burton, and Tholannan.
As dusk draws near, those atop the mountain ridge, hiding in the brush and behind mountain protrusions, hear the advancing army from the south. They remain in hiding.
The army descends the ridge and enters the clearing. As they make themselves comfortable, you hear it – the silence erupts into full-on battle; the Blackmont army being slaughtered by the score.
Soon after the battle begins, a scout attempts to flee. Qhortho takes notice and rides after him and after few well-placed arrows, the scout slumps over and falls off his horse.
Meanwhile 4 knights clamber back up the ridge, in varying states of health, where Burton and Tholannan are still waiting. They engage in battle and two of the knights are killed by the time Qhortho arrives. After trading a few more blows, the swords of the other two knights break in two, leaving them shocked and in a state of panic.
Tholannan tells them to yield, and reluctantly, they kneel and place their hands in the air.
No more than an hour passes from the start of the battle to finish.
The three men escort the 2 unarmed knights down to the grasslands below. Upon arriving on the main road to Horn Hill, they stop well short of the 200 men standing at attention outside the gates, which is now well-lit by torches as night falls.
Tholannan yells out that they have prisoners and soon after, they can hear the gates open and the formation of men split in half, with 100 mean on each side stepping off the road and rotating to face the throughway.
The Lord of Horn Hill, Ser Kevan Tarly, escorts Shadowsilver out of the gates, and treats with the group. They are followed closely by a young man carrying a bunch of gear in his arms.
KEVAN TARLY: “It appears you were telling the truth and I see we have a trade to make here” motioning at the knights in custody.
SHADOWSILVER: “I told you we were telling the truth. Now what about my gear??”
Ser Kevan’s steward walks up with the gear and passes it to the Lord, who then passes it to Shadowsilver.
KEVAN TARLY: “Here you are. Your help here was much appreciated. You must understand our precautions.”
This comment met with some hostile resentment. To which, Ser Kevan barks a short history of the relationship between The Reach and Dorne. Qhortho was quick to mention that they, themselves, were not Dornish, and those who he represents are against the same Dornishmen they’ve been fighting all this time. Ser Kevan, responds with a simple, “hmmph,” indicating that there may be some room for future amiable interactions.
After this exchange, Tholannan changed the subject and asked if there was any Shadowcap in the house – seeing if this good favor towards Horn Hill might meet with a favor in return.
Ser Kevan says that he will check with the maester and disappears into the keep, but the doors are left open. A few minutes later, Ser Kevan returns with a medium-sized whole Shadowcap in hand and gives it to Tholannan.
Ser Kevan dryly states, “I believe this concludes our business sers.” He makes an about-face and re-enters the keep. The troops who fought in the battle are now no more than 200 yards away, making their way towards the road.
The Assembly move back farther to give them some room, and they eventually pour into Horn Hill. The troops stationed outside the gate then follow in a trained and very orderly fashion. The gates slam shut behind them.
Tholannan takes this opportunity to heal Qarzdaq, which looks to be successful, meaning he should awake in about 15 days.
Before they get on their way, Tholannan mentions that they should send a message to their friends back home.
There is some debate about who should be the recipient, but all agree that it should be Tirius. Well… all except Tholannan who decides it should be Tyrone:
Good news. High Hermitage, Starfall, Horn Hill now allies. Yronwood steel made brittle. Utmost secrecy with this information. In Horn Hill and departing shortly. Advise.
Tyrone responds:
Good news indeed. Excellent work. Keep me updated as you proceed.
Upon relaying this response to the group, and them now finding out he told Tyrone, a burst of backlash ensues. Tholannan responds by relenting to their request, and sending the same message to Tirius.
Tirius responds:
Good news erupts here as well. We have many allies on this side too. Continue your progress and keep me updated.
Now, on their 110th day since leaving home, and 9,865 XP wiser, the group is once again fully intact, with Qarzdaq on the mend, and headed south, into the Dornish Marches again, with haste to pass Blackmont before any repercussions arise from their meddling in The Reach and the Marches.