Tales from Etheraz: 4/30 Guild Night Recap
Greetings, comrades, champions, and compatriots!
I, ATLAS THE BARD, have some concerning news to report. Last I wrote, I was traveling with the group of Coalition soldiers known as the PC party as they trained to face the Coltar Spawn of Hatred. Recently, the party was tensely resting at a Blakka fort, having declared a tentative truce with the battered soldiers that were stationed there in order to prepare for the slaughter (battle, I mean battle) ahead. I was regaling Blakka and party members alike with my mellifluous voice and artfully composed songs. A few Blakka soldiers even approached me about abandoning Blakka in favor to fight for the Coalition — one even sang along to the Coalition’s fighting song!! It’s wonderous the effect music has on people, even murderous, snake-brained, child-devouring devils like the Blakka. But, I digress…
I was serenading the campsite when a messenger arrived with an urgent letter for Kellian, one of the leaders of the Coalition who had been traveling with the party. The message was written in a strange, numerical code:
After examining it for some time, something seemed to click: all of a sudden Kellian exploded in anger, demanding to speak to Nemen, the party leader. Kellien demanded to know if the party had made some sort of deal with the Black Lodge (you can read all about that here!) Nemen said yes, that rang a well, why do you ask? Kellian then asked, well, what specifically did you give the Black Lodge in exchange for that deal?
Well. It turns out the party decided to give the Black Lodge access to NEARLY ALL of their numerous resources in exchange for amnesty for killing a few of them. OOPS.
(As a reminder to my readers who may be new to the region, the Black Lodge is a deeply dangerous and violent organization that has worked with Blakka to control the Bowers, and also has a habit of kidnapping people and torturing them to steal their essence). With the party’s resources, the Black Lodge’s control over the Bowers only strengthens, and these are NOT people you want as your neighbors.
Needless to say, Kellian was at least a tad frustrated. Compounding his stress was reports that Agarion’s fort, the current stronghold of the Coalition that had up to this point remained undetected, had been discovered by the enemy and would likely soon be under attack.
With the tension mounting and the Coltar Spawn of Hatred still on the horizon, the party set forth a plan. The travelling members of the Coalition would return to Agarion’s fort to fortify and strategize, and the party would venture forth to defeat Hatred. The plan was set: the party would go into the lost lands of Eventide and Twilight, where Hatred was last seen. They’d get the lay of the land and then go after Hatred, and attempt to subdue him before anyone else got hurt.
Dear readers, I fear the party has gone where I cannot follow! I have followed the Coalition to Agarion’s fort, ready to lend a hand and my lute, and work on spreading messages and information amongst the Coalition. But do not fear; my network of informants shall keep me updated on the happenings of the party, and I will inform you in return. Don’t fret: I’d never let you down in manners bard-ly! (In other matters, though, no promises…)
The days grow more perilous, but light emerges at the end of this tunnel. Let us hope that the party is successful in their quest to defeat Hatred. Surely nothing will go wrong, right? Fight together, or die alone.
Signed,
Atlas the Bard
P.S. I am devastated to report that my lute did not survive the journey to Agarion’s fort!! A Vorvolaki attacked, and my lute managed to slay it… but then snapped. Toss a copper or two to a down-on-their luck bard next time you see me!
