The morning has arrived. The 25th day of Elient, five days before the start of the Highharvestide festival; but, more importantly, it also marks the day, 174 years ago, when Alric Fieldstone set out to defend the town he founded against the ruthless Shardak Dusktracker. You all know the story well, as it has been drilled into your head's every year of your formative educations. Essentially:
- Alric founded the town.
Shardak and hired mercenaries raided the town.
Alric led a revolt against Shardak.
Shardak was killed in the assault.
Alric died two days later.
They placed a lantern, illuminated with an enhanced Continual Flame spell, above Alric's final resting place, so that all who visited might find warmth in the wilderness.
Shardak's defeat at the hands of Alric has been a source of great pride for generations of families, and that momentous occasion continues to be celebrated annually.
On this day.
Every autumn, on the 25th day of Elient, a few of the townsfolk -- usually Mayor Tellio and a group of select dignitaries -- make a pilgrimage to the tomb to light a lantern from this everlit flame and bring it back to town, where it is preserved all winter, a symbol of the town’s resilience.
Every few years, however, a handful of younger townsfolk are given the honor of lighting the lantern. Like this year.
This year, the five of you -- Feylynn, Schillachi, Alessa, Luawn, and Thalian -- have been selected to fetch what now simply goes by the Hero's Light.
You all arrive at the town square at the same time, and find it empty except for each other. Then...
The bells atop the Temple of Chauntea toll their midday song, echoing throughout the quiet town of Fieldstone. As the peals begin to fade, the first of the townsfolk make their way into the square, dressed in black, as if attending a funeral. They slowly fill the square, moving quietly across the cold, hard ground, their eyes downcast and mournful.
After a few moments, a murmur passes through the crowd as it slowly parts to let Mayor Tellio through. He leads the way with a tarnished silver lantern. Once he reaches the center of the crowd, Mayor Tellio stops and calls out to the assembled townsfolk:
"Once again the winter winds blow through Faerûn, marking the end of another harvest. There are wolves in the woods, howling at our walls, and serpents in our shadows, waiting to strike. Just as it was, one hundred and seventy-four years ago, when Alric himself left these walls to protect us." At the utterance of Alric Fieldstone's name, a quiet, respectful murmur overcomes the crowd.
The mayor gives his audience a moment before continuing. "So it is today? Where are the heroes? Where are the brave folk that will venture out to Fieldstone's tomb and retrieve the hero's flame to keep this community safe for another winter?"
This, you each know, is your queue.
"This very lantern has been used for the past 174 years to travel to the tomb, ignite it from the Hero's Light, then bring the fire back to Fieldstone." he says, proudly displaying the lantern for all to see.
- Silver Lantern.jpg (30.42 KiB) Viewed 1898 times
He then hands each character a backpack that contains 5 days’ worth of rations, a small tent, a winter blanket, and a full waterskin. An additional large sack is placed down in front of the group. "These shall help you on your quest. Divide amongst yourself as you see fit."
- Rope, hempen (50 feet)
- Grappling hook
- Tinderbox
- 3 Torches
- 2 Potions of Healing
- Small bottle of local brandy
"I present to you the brave heroes who will follow in Alric’s footsteps and retrieve the Hero's Light!" After some applause, he continues. "Some of them may not return, but I say to you that their sacrifice shall not be forgotten."
"Go, brave heroes, and do not return until you have the Hero's Light!” he says as he turns and points to the south, the direction of Fieldstone's tomb.
---
Okay, feel free to divide the extra inventory however you'd like; just be sure to add all the new items to your character sheets. I will also need to know who will be carrying the lantern.
You should also decide on a marching order (both 5-foot and 10-foot) plus a watch schedule for long rests.
There's still an opportunity to speak with the group, as the Mayor some questions, or even talk amongst yourselves. Then, once you're ready, let me know and we can officially begin your quest!
---
Date: 25 Elient
Time: 12:00
- Sunrise: 05:57
- Sunset: 21:03
- Low: 44°
- High: 55°
- Precipitation: None
- Wind: Chill breeze
- None
- None
- None
Character Details
- BearSiren817 as Feylynn | Female | Chaotic Good | Wood Elf | Rogue (1) | HD: 1 (1d8) | HP: 9 | AC: 13 | SP: 35' | Initiative: +3 | Darkvision: Yes | Inspiration: No
- Bluetongue as Schillachi | Male | Chaotic Neutral | Tiefling | Warlock (1) | HD: 1 (1d8) | HP: 9 | AC: 12 | SP: 30' | Initiative: +1 | Darkvision: Yes | Inspiration: No
- Faanku as Alessa Deepbough | Female | Neutral Good | Variant Human | Wizard (1) | HD: 1 (1d6) | HP: 9 | AC: 12 | SP: 30' | Initiative: +2 | Darkvision: No | Inspiration: No
- Rex as Luawn | Male | Neutral Good | Human | Fighter (1) | HD: 1 (1d10) | HP: 12 | AC: 18 | SP: 30' | Initiative: +3 | Darkvision: No | Inspiration: No
- Rukellian as Thalian Goldehart | Male | Neutral Good | Human | Cleric (1) | HD: 1 (1d8) | HP: 10 | AC: 18 | SP: 30' | Initiative: 0 | Darkvision: Yes | Inspiration: No
Marching Order
5-Foot
- Feylynn
- Luawn
- Alessa
- Schillachi
- Thalian
- Feylynn | Luawn
- Alessa
- Schillachi | Thalian
- T.B.D.
- None
