Karthos' Little Green Book
| Karthos' Little Green Book | |
|---|---|
 A little green book that is owned by Karthos The Green | |
| Item Information | |
| Weight | 1/2 lb |
| Value | Priceless |
| Rarity | Common |
| Magical | Non-magical |
| Type | Book |
| Owner | |
| Karthos The Green | |
Description
A little green book owned by Karthos The Green, paging through it you see glimpses of what seems to be research, hastily written notes, and to do lists. Some pages even have dried pressed flowers and dried squashed bugs that have notes written around them.
Content
Research
Research Entry - The Cold Never Brothered me Anyway - 1492 DR Flamerule, 3rd-Day
Three days into my latest deep forest study in the Neverwinter woods near Blackford Crossing, I awoke with morning dew on my brow and rose with a shiver that I felt through my entire body. It felt noticeably colder this morning than the previous days I've spend in the forest this month, which definitely odd for this time of year.
During my walk-about this morning I looked for signs of cold creeping into the forest, however, everything seems as it should for this time of year -- foliage and plants are reaching towards the mid-summer sky unrestrained per usual. No signs of early foliage or plant change due to cold temperatures.
I spent some time meditating and communing with the forest after my morning walk-about, I sense nothing of ill intent in regards to the early and unexplainable cold in Neverwinter forest. From the trees and winds themselves, I do hear some whispers of unending and unexplainable cold in the North. I do not know much about the North, but it's concerning to say the least. From what I've heard in passing, it's always cold up there. Maybe this whole thing is just the moss and mushroom combo I scrounged up and ate last night.
I should take a nap.
Journal
Iceeee - 1492 DR Flamerule, 4th-Day
I can't shake the feeling that there is something wrong...something wrong in the North that may steep into the woods of Neverwinter. It gnaws at the back of my mind ever since I awoke yesterday during my forest study, the cold feels as if it's slowly creeping in and freezing my thoughts where they stand.
I cannot stay out here any longer, I must make haste back home.
Emerald Enclave - 1492 DR Flamerule, 6th-Day
While on my trek home, I met some druids of the Emerald Enclave. At first thought, I thought this was curious as the Emerald Enclave does not stray into Neverwinter forest that often.
They spoke of odd reports from other druids of the northern forests that involved dreams of their forests flash freezing overnight.
I relayed that I have also had odd premonitions of cold seeping into the Neverwinter forest.
They revealed that they were journeying North to investigate the cause as they've heard rumors of the endless cold plaguing Icewind Dale.
I gave them some moss and mushrooms for their journey North, they seemed quite thrilled at the bounty I had given them.
North - 1492 DR Flamerule, 7th-Day
I've decided to follow in the footsteps of the druids of the Emerald Enclave that I met yesterday. I aim to head North on foot to a place called "Ten Towns" that is supposedly nestled in the heart of Icewind Dale which is where the druids mentioned they were headed. If there is something out there that is as powerful as the Spellplague that is threatening Neverwinter forest, I cannot stay neutral in this matter and I must take action to investigate the cause before it spreads.
I will miss my cozy little treehouse and this forest, I'm not sure when I will return to it.
Luskan - 1492 DR Flamerule, 12th-Day
Arrived in Luskan today after 5 days on foot from Neverwinter Woods. I tend to stay away from towns as much as possible, however, I need to gather some supplies before going North and this is one of the last stops there entering Icewind Dale. I packed my warm furs from home, but I will need other supplies like snowshoes, crampons, and some climbing gear just in case there are poor conditions in Icewind Dale.
I've ventured near Luskan before and it's been many years since I've been in this area. I remember Luskan being a large bustling port city full of trade goods from the sea. Arriving here today, it seems as if the Spellplague has hit Luskan hard. The city feels empty...and gloomy.
Bryn Shander - 1492 DR Flamerule, 17th-Day
Hitched a ride via a northern caravan and made it to Bryn Shander. The Spine of the World is a harsh and unforgiving place, I can see why there aren't many expeditions or aid that gets through to Icewind Dale. We did almost did not make it ourself, there was a enormous blizzard that hit the caravan that caused a complete whiteout. We lost an entire wagon off the side of the mountain pass and we couldn't stop to see if there were any survivors. Eventually, we made it through the pass and into the region of Icewind Dale. The rest of the trek to Bryn Shander was pretty uneventful. Cold, but uneventful.
Nature itself does not seem natural or at balance here, its as if something or someone sent this blizzard to end us.
Bryn Shander - 1492 DR Flamerule, 18th-Day
On my way into Bryn Shander I noticed a gathering of trees off too the South East, I should go and investigate them too see if I can find anything out from the locals.
It took around 2 hrs trudging through the deep snow to get here, but here I am in one of the forests of Icewind Dale. It's eerily quiet in this place with little signs of any animals. The brutal cold must be rough life for the local inhabitants.
Lonelywood - 1492 DR Eleasis, 7th-Day
I arrived at the Lonelywood Tavern after spending much of the day in Lonelywood researching the land and communing with nature. I asked the bar keep for a pint of their finest ale (probably needs mushrooms added like always.). After getting my pint, I noticed a rather imposing figure within the Tavern, a near 8ft tall Goliath decorated in full shiny platemail who was parked in the corner of the tavern. With a figure like that, it might as well be the best place as any to start asking for help to investigate this cursed place. I haven't made much headway in learning the true nature of the curse on my own, it's time to get some help.
The Assembling of Adventurers
I introduced myself to the Goliath, he seemed friendly as he spoke. He mentioned that he was native to Icewind Dale but he has been exiled from his Clan, the Thuunlakalaga due to wanting to work together with a neighboring Goliath Clan to investigate the curse that has befallen the land. I didn't catch his name at first, but he became known as Korag Frosthelm. He also mentioned that he was a Cleric of the Helm. Very interesting. We agreed that our interests align and that we should investigate this curse together.
While discussing Icewind Dales curse, the other inn patrons drifted closer and introduced themselves. Resda Highgrove, a young fidgety looking Human sorcerer - seemingly capable but young in the ways of magic. She's traveled from Daggerford to Icewind Dale after encountering some tragedy in Daggerford. She is willing to lend her magic to aid in the journey to investigate the curse of Icewind Dale.
We also met a Gnome named Min Needle who promptly fell off her chair as she listened in on the Goliath's and Is conversation. We don't know much about her but she is interested in helping us since there may be some monetary gain from lifting the curse of Icewind Dale. She bought us all a round of drinks.
An accomplished looking High Elf Ranger by the name of Saralas Alderheart introduced himself. A family man turned Ranger hailing from Neverwinter like myself. He too has heard rumors of the curse of Icewind Dale and he has come to investigate the source of the curse.
A Tiefling named Rudra Apeksh introduced herself as well, she doesn't remember quite how she got here and all she remembers is the biting cold of Icewind Dale. She also wants to come along on our journey. More the merrier in my opinion.
A sopping wet Human man burst from the water closet and introduced himself as well, apparently he got lost in Icewind Dale and wound up in Lonelywood. He says he doesn't remember much else than getting lost. He's looking to join us until he can find his way back to another town. Why is he wet? and I honestly don't remember his name.
We asked about lodging to the bar keep, she told us rudely that she did not have any lodging here, this was a tavern, not a inn. She mentioned that our only real option was the Lonelywood Town Speakers house and she mentioned that the actual town inn - The Ramshackle Inn closed some time ago.
Suddenly, a loud voice boomed out in the tavern saying "SURRENDER!". There was no clear owner of said voice. Very confusing.
We decided on first trying the Speakers house since it would be cold at the inn, plus we would also be breaking and entering there. If the Speaker did not let us stay, then we would try the Inn.
Nimsy the Town Speaker - also a Halfling by chance
The party (minus Min Needle) braved the harsh Icewind Dale night and shambled over to the Speakers house. There we met Nimsy the speaker who invited us into his house. He offered us warm Halfling shaped cookies. They were delicious, I noticed a hint of nutmeg in them! he I asked him what was up with all of the Halfling children and if they were his or not - she looked offended. It's best not to assume things, I don't know why she was so offended!
She also said that she should be able to accommodate us for the night, she has room for us in his attic which should suit us just fine.
Nimsy also mentioned that there has been a terrifying Albino Moose that has been seeking our loggers in the Lonelywood and killing them. This seems unusual, moose are territorial but they don't typically seek out and purposely kill other creatures. We agreed to try and find the Moose.
We also inferred about the town sacrifices, Nimsy mentioned that they offer food as their town sacrifice.
8 Eleasis 1492 DR - Dusk
As I wearily sit around the warm campfire that I prepared, and tend to my fellow party members after today's encounters. I recount our day; I will say this: I don't think this is how any of us expected this day to go.
Alternate Paths
While investigating the ruins, Korag found an opening into the interior ruins that was covered up by snow. He noticed a patch of glowing snow and digging through it revealed an entrance into the inside. He dove in first and investigated. I don't think we expected to find what we found inside, we were totally and undeniably unprepared for what happened next.
Murder Moose
Korag found the White Moose upon entering the ruins. I think both parties were startled and not expecting each other. The ruins were also full of other smaller low-land creatures like foxes, squirrels, hares and the like. A meaning of minds perhaps? I didn't get a full view but I did see creatures scurrying out of the cave opening moments after Korag went in.
Another twist, as soon as Korag made himself known. The Moose spoke. It reiterated the destruction of its forest lands and killing of its moose folk - of which we had no such part in doing I will add. The Moose didn't seem liked it would see reason and it full on charged Korag.
That is when the rest of the Offensive Party came to his aid, we all joined him within the ruins as he became under attack from the white moose.
I recount trying to entangle the great beast with vines but to no avail, it broke free. This beasts fortitude and intelligence are incredible. This creature is not normal.
Again, we tried to reason with the great moose. I relayed my understanding that with the moose that I felt it's pain that it's land and moosefolk were being destroyed by humans but it seemed to have little impact on its decision.
Unfortunately, we had to bring the beast down and we did so after a sizable fight. I must say, none of my magic was effective in the fight and I feel drained. Thankfully the moose was unable to land any blows upon us which was lucky. Min took the killing blow and fell the moose, it collapsed with a loud sigh.
After a little deliberation we decided that I should take it's head, and I did so respectively. A little ironic that I severed the moose's head with the hatchet that I was gifted from the loggers from the logging camp just outside of Lonelywood.
Surprise! Frost Druid!
I got to work severing the moose's great head from it's body while the rest of the party started to investigate the rest of the ruins. We found a few different passage ways inside and a lonely looking mirror that may be connected to one of the riddles from the moon dial outside. Each path that we found had a closed door at the end of it. Two of them denoting a symbol that matched a particular moon phase. The North West door matched the current moon phase that we are in, the waning moon. The other doors symbol was a full moon, we didn't try to open this one.
Korag and Saralas went to investigate the northern door and managed to open it, which is where we found the Frost Druid. From the shouting that I could hear, much like our previous encounter with the White Moose, our attempts at diplomacy failed and the Frost Druid attacked us in the name of Auril, the Frost Maiden. At this point, Korag and Saralas engaged and things went from bad to even worse. Min and Ruda also ran to aid in the fight.
I'm not entirely sure what happened next in that small room but all I could hear was something that sounded like a hail storm that echoed out from within the small chamber, and then pure silence. A few moments later, Resda and I were met with a very angry and limping Frost Druid. Resda acted first by conjuring a warbling, shifting mass of pure dark energy at the druid, it made full contact with the Frost Druid. It definitely seemed hurt by it. The only thing that I could muster at this point was one of my first spells that I learnt, a small bolt of flame that I usually use to light fires with and clear dead brush with and with that, I tossed a flame bolt at the druid which also connected.
The Frost Druid managed to corner Resda and with one blow from her ice knife brought her down to the ground. At that point, I was the only one remaining - I didn't know if I should flee or continue fighting. It seemed like this druid would not let me out of here alive and she continued to advance on me after bringing Resda down... And with that I casted one more flame bolt out of shear desperation.
The Frost Druid slumped to the ground, dead.
I didn't think have time to think about it too long, the rest of the party required medical aid. I stabilized Resda first, the wound made by the ice dagger was a clean cut thankfully, it made it easier to attend to. After that, I dragged her into the druid's chamber where the rest of the party lay. I used my medicine kit and bandages to attend to the rest of the party. Many of them where badly battered by ice chunks, I've heard tales of northern druids being able to conjure storms of ice, I'm assuming this is exactly what happened here. This is first hand experience that it can cause some disastrously effects.
Once everyone was stabilized I tucked everyone into their sleeping gear and lit a fire in the main room, that way everyone will keep warm while recovering. Today was a close call that we'll hopefully never have to repeat again.
I think we learned something today though; the Frost Maiden may have allies joining her in her cause and we must tread lightly.
Scribbles
Packing List for the North - 1489 DR Flamerule, 7th-Day
- Warm clothes for cold weather
- Climber's Kit
- Crampons
- Healer's Kit
- Rope, Hempen
- Snowshoes
- Bedroll
- Rations, mushrooms, another assorted forest goodies. Enough for 5 days.
- Waterskin
Notes