<div class="top-nav"> <a href="/mydndgame/publish/pages/Home">Home</a> <a href="/mydndgame/publish/pages/Character Main Page">Characters</a> <a href="/mydndgame/publish/pages/Factions Index">Factions</a> <a href="/mydndgame/publish/pages/Locations Index">Locations</a> <a href="/mydndgame/publish/pages/World Lore">Lore</a> <a href="/mydndgame/publish/pages/Map">Map</a> </div> # Men of [[Westfold]] ## MISSION Blazely: I have reason to believe something has befallen the [[Westfold]] men. Something bad. We need to go check that place out, figure out what happened, and maybe check for survivors. Who’s in? ## DEBRIEF **Archie's account:** We traveled for 2 days towards [[Westfold]]. The winter is getting worse. Several party members are affected by the cold and become exhausted. We need to remember to grab more healing tea from [[Sulwotik]] before traveling into this wilderness again. We camped the first night in [[Krelgar Keep]]. The ruins stand empty, and the only thing that haunts them are my memories. It is nice to get out of the cold though. The next morning we resume our journey. Before we realize it, we are in the wood. Notlagoon stumbled on something. After investigating, it turned out to be the body of a goblin. We start to investigating the area, and we realize we are in the aftermath of a large battle. Several humans are dead, but for each human, there are at least 8 goblins, hobgoblins, and bugbears surrounding their bodies. No sign of life. The human bodies have plate mail, with the symbol of a tower on their large shields. Turns out that this is the symbol of [[Dispater]]. They are an Archdevil of the Nine Hells. The humans were cultists who worshiped this great evil. We find an iron altar. It looks like 4 separate anvils, welded together, with ornate runic carvings. The language is Infernal, which Notlagoon translates: "On this altar make your offering. Pledge your oath in the name of the Iron Duke." Holy water sizzles on the altar as if it were boiling hot. Behind the altar, we see a cave opening. The outside is a natural formation, but steps have clearly been carved into the floor and they lead downward. Coming up the stone steps, we see an absolutely gorgeous individual. Tall athletic figure. Over 6 ft tall. Large pair of feathered white wings. Makaela notices: she is armed. Longsword in a sheath. Between two outstretched wings. Long unusual looking coil of blue silk rope. Eyes burn with golden radiance. “Fortune favors the bold. So it’s clear that the dead here were far too meek. Their stench will foul the woods because none have stayed behind to bury them. What a pity. But the crows will appreciate the feast.” She scans the faces of the group. Settles on the face of Notlagoon. Walks slowly/seductively to him. Speaks to him: “My name is [[Lamalia]]. I’ve come here seeking warriors of great valor. I’ve found none. Until now.” Runs a finger down his cheek, lingers at his jawline. Walks away, slowly and deliberately. Turns over her right shoulder. “Tell me of your quest and by so doing, demonstrate your worthiness. Prove yourself to be more valiant.” Goes into the cave. Notlagoon follows, transfixed by the figure and dubbing her *Julie*. She wraps him in the blue silk rope. Lays her hand on the rope and leads him deeper into the cavern. He can’t stop her. Leads him towards the firelight. Magical source of some kind. Looks like a portal. We engage in battle, successfully defeating this Infernal beast and her winged lackeys. She’s a servant of [[Dispater]]. Guardian of this “Holy Site”. Are the Drow involved? She seems confused. It wasn’t originally built for [[Dispater]]. The cultists have transformed it into one. A master strategist and expert in intrigue, [[Dispater]] has a well-earned reputation for being the most carefully calculating of the archdevils. His personal safety is always his top priority, and to catch him off-guard would be to outwit one of the most clever and resourceful beings in reality. During every step of his dominion he has acted with patient cunning and unshakable discretion. Although he, like the other archdevils, schemes to take over the Nine Hells, he avoids taking big risks, not out of cowardice or insecurity but because of his unique view of the system. "The cosmos is a grand game. He who knows its rules the best shall win the prize." — [[Dispater]] Goblins in the [[Hills of Nyashk]] Goblins had a primitive village. Tents and small wooden buildings. Settlement. They’re relatively organized. Realizations: Goblins would have had a bigger reason to launch an attack besides a suggestion from a stranger (aka shadesmar). They had to have had a bigger reason to launch this attack. Ideas about strongholds in the area. ([[Krelgar Keep]], this fort, etc) Valid points. The [[Westfold]] wood seems less useful. Not a huge asset. It’s proximity to the [[Hills of Nyashk]] and the rest of the Goblin army puts it in a risky location. How big is the Goblin force that’s left? Are they a potential ally? Worth a scouting mission. Goblin were being used by [[Duke Roderick Galekin|the Duke]] as a pawn prior to this. Maybe this time as well? Regardless, it proves that they are able to negotiate.