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Chapter Thirty-Nine

The Dreamwalker

1485 DR / Day 41

Laduguer’s Furrow, Gracklstugh 

The sad pattern continued as Zelyra, Kazimir, and Prince Derendil made their way westward to Cairngorm Caverns. Destruction, death, silence, fear… The once bustling city of Gracklstugh was rank with it. What should have been a ten-minute walk quickly tripled due to the damage the red dragon, Themberchaud, had wrought.

And yet, there was one bright spot amidst the fallout—

Gracklstugh was already starting to rebuild.

The petty war that had broken out between clans was forgotten. Duergar, who had been at each other’s throats, needlessly spilling blood mere hours before, now rallied together and stoically worked side by side to put out fires, clear the streets, and search for trapped victims. The trio did what they could to help along the way, which slowed them even further.

As they navigated the wreckage of the southern housing district, Zelyra’s sharp eyes fell upon a figure lying near a collapsed building. The druid gasped and rushed forward. Derendil and Kazimir hurried after her. The body that Zelyra had found was none other than Grinta Ironhead.

Not only had Grinta been one of the co-conspirators of Blackskull’s coup—she was Laird Thangus Ironhead’s only daughter. [1] The once proud and fierce weaponsmith now looked so small and fragile, her armor cracked and scorched. Further search revealed Grinta’s honor guard trapped among debris. The elderly priest who presided over their Heroes’ Feast was also there. He lay flat on his back, his dark eyes trained upwards, lifeless and unseeing.

They had never asked the priest’s name, let alone thanked him for the powerful adjuration magic that had undoubtedly saved their lives in the throne room…

And now they never could.

“How did it come to this?” Kazimir muttered.

“Pride was allowed to override reason,” Prince Derendil replied, his head downturned. “No side would have come out of the coup without substantial loss. But they knew that, I think. Blackskull, Amber, Grinta, and the other lairds who sided with them… Themberchaud knew it, too. That’s why he chose to attack when he did. It was his best and only chance. This was a battle that neither side could have won.”

“They didn’t deserve this,” Zelyra said as she dropped to her knees beside the priest and reached out with trembling fingers to close his unseeing eyes in respect. “None of them did,” the druid muttered. She then brought her hands to her mouth in a gasp. “Poor Blackskull! She must—”

Zelyra left the conclusion of ‘guilt’ unsaid.

But both of her companions knew what she meant.

“Yeah,” Kazimir breathed.

The wizard reached into the pocket of his robes for the small, polished stone that connected him to Captain Errde Blackskull. He hesitated, his thumb rubbing its smooth surface before relaying the news and location of the bodies. Blackskull’s response was swift and clipped, but the tiefling could tell it significantly weighed on her.

“I will send a recovery team immediately.”

There was a slight pause, and then—

“Thank you for letting me know, Kazimir,” the duergar said softly. “Stay safe. We’ve lost too many already.”

Not for the first time, the tiefling wizard warred with himself internally. Surely, they could have done something more. Or perhaps they should have done the opposite and turned their backs on Blackskull, washing their hands of the duergar city altogether when they had the chance. But a nagging voice in Kazimir’s subconscious that sounded suspiciously like Fraeya argued that Gracklstugh would have been worse off had they done that. If they had not exposed Shal, if they had not broken the succubus’s hold and returned Deepking Horgar to his right mind—

Themberchaud’s attack would have devastated the City of Blades.

And that effect would not have been limited to Gracklstugh. Had the duergar city fallen to the dragon, it would have had untold consequences on the entire trade infrastructure of the Underdark.

“Any news of Amber Thrazgad’s whereabouts?” the wizard finally asked.

“None,” the captain replied curtly.

The link between the sending stones fell silent.

Kazimir sighed. It was strange, given that their interaction with the head of Clan Thrazgad had been limited to just a few short meetings, but the tiefling felt as though a rock had settled in the pit of his stomach. Had the fiery armorsmith met the same fate as Grinta Ironhead?

The wizard took another deep breath and then released it. Around them, the duergar continued their grim work, cleaning the streets and tending to the wounded. There was resilience to them, some stubborn determination to keep going despite all odds. Kazimir had come to respect it during their time in the city. They might not see eye to eye on specific policies—the slave trade, for one—but these were a people who had built their lives in the harshest of environments, who had carved out a place for themselves in the unforgiving Underdark. They would survive this, somehow.

. . . Read more: https://archiveofourown.org/works/35100307/chapters/152830810

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The Cult of the Gol’Goroth

Chapter Ten

Midwinter

Three months later…

Hammer 1485 DR (Midwinter)

Taras Aldar, Neverwinter Wood

The druid village of Taras Aldar celebrated the holiday of Midwinter as any other respectable place would—with feasting, music, dancing, and drinking. Midwinter was the first festival day on Faerûn’s calendar. While nobility typically saw it as a day to commemorate or renew alliances, the common folk marked it as the midpoint of the cold season, with some hard times still ahead, but many of the worst days now past. There were very few days when the sentries who guarded the outposts of Neverwinter Wood were called into the village proper. The Midwinter feast was one of them. Of course, a handful remained in the Wood. However, shifts were rotated so that everyone could participate in the festivities.

That is how Varan Fenhirel found himself trapped in a very incongruous scenario.

It was not often that the elves of Taras Aldar became as loud and rowdy as they were at present. The village typically had an air of peace and tranquility as its inhabitants were hard at work doing their part to keep Taras Aldar running. But that all changed when Ansron’s drink started to flow. The Master of Lore had earned a reputation for his potent homemade honey wine. It was only brought out on festival days. Thus, the denizens of Taras Aldar readily partook.

At present, a female moon elf stood before the impatient ranger. Two young wolves flanked her. They rested calmly, but the ranger noted that their eyes were ever alert for danger despite the safe setting. She had the light blue skin of a moon-elf. Her fiery red hair was worn loose to tumble down nearly to her waist, and her eyes were a startling emerald green. Her oval face was young and youthful and currently bore a blinding smile. Like all the other villagers, the moon elf had dressed for the occasion and wore a flowing, navy dress trimmed with embroidered patterns of silver. And in her hand was a tankard full of Ansron’s famous honey wine, which she presently thrust in Varan’s direction.

“Come on, nobody turns down Ansron’s drink!” the moon elf sang with a slight slur. “Not even you!”

“How many cups have you had now, Arlathan?” Varan asked tiredly.

The moon elf, Arlathan, shrugged. “I’ve lost count.”

Varan resisted the urge to slap his hand on his forehead. “If I accept the drink, will you tell me where Zelyra is?”

“Why do you think I’d know?”

“You are her best friend.”

Arlathan smiled. “I don’t know! You could contend me for that title. Unless…that is…you were to finally fight for a more permanent role in her life.”

The dark-haired ranger was visibly startled by the bold insinuation, and Arlathan snickered, knowing she’d hit a nerve.

Varan all but ripped the tankard from the moon elf’s outstretched hand and drained half of it before wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. Arlathan had no idea how close she was to the truth at that moment.

“Zelyra? Where is she?” he repeated testily.

“Last I saw her, she was dancing with her father,” Arlathan replied while gesturing lazily toward the roaring fires where many elves had partnered up and were dancing to music played by Ansron and some of his assistants.

In addition to lore, the elven master appreciated all arts and had spent countless decades studying them. Ansron currently played a pair of bagpipes while the others in his band had pan flutes and drums. Unsurprisingly, the half-giant barbarian, Krom, had joined the festivities as well and happily strummed away on his oversized lute. Well-known tunes wafted from their instruments, allowing the dancers to sing along. It was a picture of merriment if any there ever were. [1]

“Thank you,” the ranger said, intending to take his leave.

But Arlathan stopped the ranger with a hand on the arm. Her face turned serious at that moment, and Varan knew that for all that she had been drinking, whatever was about to leave her lips was the sober truth.

“Varan, for once in your life, just live a little. You spend your days worrying about the village, fighting the evil of the Wood, and acting as if the whole world rests on your shoulders alone. Open up and enjoy yourself. Do something crazy. Like—like, go dance with Zelyra! You, of all people, have earned that,” Arlathan said. “We all see it. Hells, Krom and I had to endure an entire tenday of watching you two needlessly pine for one another! You fight hard for the survival of our Circle, and we are grateful for it. But for the love of the gods, you deserve a little joy in your life… And Zelyra does, too!”

The words struck the ranger, and though he did not outwardly show it, he was glad for Arlathan’s council. She might be a mild drunkard—the druid’s behavior this night was not unusual—but her wisdom came out when it most counted.

. . . Click the link to continue... :)

[lumendelmari]

The Cult of the Gol’Goroth

Chapter Nine

Many Partings

Part Two

16 Elient (The Fading) 1484 DR / Day 8 

Central Neverwinter Wood

The noise of the arcane explosion roused Varan, Krom, and Arlathan from their sleep. They were on their feet in an instant, weapons drawn and their eyes scanning the darkness for threats. It took only a few minutes for them to locate the source of the disturbance—the swirling portal within the blackened tree and Zelyra’s crumpled form lying motionless on the forest floor a few yards from it.

“Zelyra!�� Varan shouted, rushing to her side with speed that belied his usual composure. The ranger dropped to his knees beside her, his heart pounding as he checked for signs of life.

Arlathan knelt beside him, her hands glowing with the soft light of a healing spell. “Hold on, Zelyra,” she murmured. But as the light faded, Zelyra remained still, her eyes closed, her breathing shallow and uneven.

“It’s not working,” Arlathan said. “Why isn’t it working?”

Krom stood a few paces away, his massive form silhouetted against the glowing portal. His grip tightened on the hilt of his warhammer as he cast a suspicious look at the swirling energy. “What in the Nine Hells is that thing?” he asked.

Varan ignored the half-giant’s question. He leaned down, pressing his ear to the druid’s chest, listening for her heartbeat. It was there, faint but steady, a small reassurance that she was still alive. “She’s breathing at least,” the ranger said. “But if magic can’t wake her…”

“Then all we can do is wait,” Arlathan said.

“I hate waiting,” Krom grumbled.

“Don’t we all,” Varan muttered.

And so, they waited, tense and anxious, as the minutes ticked by. The portal continued to hum ominously in the background. Every now and then, Varan would glance up at it, his eyes narrowing with suspicion and unease.

. . .

To read more, click the link above :D

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 The Cult of the Gol’Goroth

Chapter Eight

Many Partings

Part One

15 Elient (The Fading) 1484 DR / Day 7 

The Lair of the Gol’Goroth, northeastern Neverwinter Wood

The companions slowly made their way back to Goldleaf, their steps heavy with the weight of their recent battle, lack of sleep, and the grim news they carried. Erstod, the once-corrupt wizard, walked with them, a mixture of guilt and resolve etched on his face. But as the group approached town, it became clear that their return would not be met with open arms. The streets were eerily silent, and the villagers were still shuttered up in their homes, too afraid to venture outside. The once vibrant settlement was like a ghost town, its people paralyzed by fear.

“How do we want to go about this?” Varan asked as they entered the village proper.

“Perhaps we should speak to Hal first,” Zelyra suggested.

“And what? Try to catch him in a lie?” Arlathan asked.

“We already have damning evidence against him,” Krom pointed out.

Erstod nodded thoughtfully. “Indeed, you might, but it never hurts to cover all your bases. Perhaps there is still more we can take away from this mess,” the wizard said, agreeing with Zelyra.

The half-elf shot the old man a grateful smile. “I want to know why,” she added, her green eyes blazing. “How could anyone betray the trust of their people like this? What did the Gol’Goroth promise that was worth more than innocent lives?!”

“I suppose it wouldn’t hurt to corner the weasel in his own home…maybe force a confession out of him…” Krom trailed off, becoming more open to the idea.

“And ensure that he doesn’t try to flee,” Varan concluded fiercely.

“Hal Neelow is a charlatan through and through. I know it, and I know you know it too,” Erstod told the ranger. He then raised his voice to address the group at large. “It would be most unwise to underestimate this man. He will try to gain the upper hand, no matter how you confront him. Perhaps it would be best to first try to do it quietly, and if that does not work—make your voices heard.”

“I think we can manage that,” Arlathan said with a feral grin.

After some direction from their new ally, the companions approached the mayor’s modest home, a structure that seemed out of place given his duplicitous dealings. They knocked on the door, and after an extended pause, it creaked open. Hal Neelow stood before them, wearing a set of striped pajamas and a ridiculous nightcap with a fuzzy ball on the end. The mayor’s eyes widened in bewilderment when he saw Erstod standing with the group, but swiftly masked his shock with a wide, disingenuous smile.

“Erstod!” Hal exclaimed. “What a pleasant surprise! I didn’t expect to see you here with our valiant heroes.”

The wizard made no effort to return the greeting.

“You have all returned in one piece. So, I assume that all is well?” the mayor continued, unfazed by their silence.

“Not all of us have returned,” Arlathan said icily.

Hal’s gaze flitted among them confusedly.

“But…there were only four of you…”

“Five,” the moon elf corrected bitterly.

“Are…are you certain?”

“The Gol’Goroth is no more, but Hayth gave his life in the process,” Arlathan barked.

“Hayth?” the man muttered before his eyes lit up with recognition. “Oh—oh! Your pet!”

It was the wrong thing to say.

Arlathan’s eyes narrowed dangerously.

“I mean…your…animal companion?” Hal backpaddled nervously. “I’m so sorry for your loss. But at least now, the vicious monster is dead, and the town can rest easy. The people have nothing more to fear,” he offered, not really meaning the words.

The moon elf folded her arms across her chest and huffed in reply. . . .

Check out the links above for more.

[lumendelmari]

Above: Art Credit: /u/elella on Reddit

Below: a quick Midjourney render I made. Not perfect but pretty creepy.

The Gol'Goroth's stat block, borrowed from 'Nerzugal's Dungeon Master Toolkit'.

This character is from “Zelyra Erenaeth: Origins,” the prequel to “The Grey Warriors,” a retelling of a completed Out of the Abyss (Dungeons and Dragons) campaign.

You can read both stories here:

[lumendelmari]

Zelyra Erenaeth, half-elf druid.

This character is from "Zelyra Erenaeth: Origins," the prequel to "The Grey Warriors," a retelling of a completed Out of the Abyss (Dungeons and Dragons) campaign.

You can read both stories here:

Read the story here:

[lumendelmari]

The human wizard, Erstod. Keymaster of the Cult of the Gol'Goroth.

This character is from "Zelyra Erenaeth: Origins," the prequel to "The Grey Warriors," a retelling of a completed Out of the Abyss (Dungeons and Dragons) campaign.

You can read both stories here:

[lumendelmari]

Varan Fenhirel, half-elven ranger of the Circle of Swords in Neverwinter Wood. Also featuring his hawk animal companion, Ambrosia. These characters are from "Zelyra Erenaeth: Origins," the prequel to "The Grey Warriors," a retelling of a completed Out of the Abyss (Dungeons and Dragons) campaign.

You can read both stories here:

[lumendelmari]

Krom, the half-giant zealot barbarian who originally hailed from the Northlands, but now assists the Circle of Swords in Neverwinter Wood. This character is from "Zelyra Erenaeth: Origins," the prequel to "The Grey Warriors," a retelling of a completed Out of the Abyss (Dungeons and Dragons) campaign.

You can read both stories here:

[lumendelmari]

Arlathan Addar, moon elf druid of the Circle of Swords. Also featuring her wolf companion, Hayth, and her enchanted flask of mead. These characters are from "Zelyra Erenaeth: Origins," the prequel to "The Grey Warriors," a retelling of a completed Out of the Abyss (Dungeons and Dragons) campaign.

You can read both stories here:

[lumendelmari]

Chapter Thirty-Eight

Aftermath

1485 DR / Day 41 

The Hold of the Deepking, Gracklstugh

The hatch slammed shut with a resounding—bang—and with it, the weight of all that occurred in the past few hours fell heavily on the Grey Warriors’ shoulders. The mutated dragon egg had been destroyed, Shal was revealed to be a succubus who served the mysterious ‘Dark Prince,’ and the red dragon, Themberchaud, had razed the city before ambushing the Hold of the Deepking. They’d lost two of their companions in the ensuing battle…

The surviving party members escaped the collapsing royal chamber alongside Deepking Horgar, Captain Blackskull, and Broot via a secret passageway beneath the throne. They found themselves in total darkness, unable to make out even the slightest detail of their hand when held just inches from their face. Fortunately, their other senses made up for what they could not see. A blend of earthy odors hung in the air. The atmosphere was chilled and stale, but it also felt heavy. Somehow, the stone-shattering din of the collapsing room above them was absent. The only sound that reached their ears was the scrape of their boots against the stone and the occasional rat scurrying by.

Kazimir was seconds away from summoning his dancing lights when Deepking Horgar struck a flint against an oil-filled channel affixed to the wall. The duergar alone had the sense to shield his eyes as a long line of blinding flame raced down the chute, filling the space with heat and bright light. Sarith hissed, and black spots danced in Prince Derendil’s vision. Captain Blackskull and Broot also turned their heads and shied from the flames. But Fraeya appeared only as affected as the surface dwellers among them and blinked hard—once, twice—before settling. Horgar thought that was odd for a drow but left it alone. [1]

“Follow me,” the duergar said as he descended the staircase. His impressive, black fur cloak swept the dusty floor behind him.

. . .

Read more: https://archiveofourown.org/works/35100307/chapters/129783106

[lumendelmari]

Chapter Thirty-Seven

The Grey Warriors

1485 DR / Day 41 

The Hold of the Deepking, Gracklstugh

“You will not be leaving the palace,” Deepking Horgar Steelshadow V announced as his hand closed around Brimtongue, the enchanted warhammer that had been in his possession for decades. He muttered its command word under his breath, and the faint runes began to burn red hot. Kazimir immediately recognized them as Infernal.

“That’s not good,” the tiefling muttered.

“But that’s even worse,” Fargas said as the iron door to the throne room swung open. The eight Stoneguard waiting outside marched in to join their counterpart. They held loaded crossbows in their hands, which they promptly pointed at the cornered adventurers.

“We knew what we were getting ourselves into,” Balasar said gruffly as his eyes darted around the room, seeking a secondary exit. There were none that he could see.

“But did we?” Kazimir yelped.

“The egg must be destroyed,” the dragonborn answered.

“And the people of Gracklstugh need capable leadership,” Fraeya added sharply.

Zelyra rested a comforting hand on the tiefling’s shoulder. “We’re doing the right thing,” she said.

Kazimir sighed in defeat. He knew they were right—but why did doing the right thing consistently land them in ‘chance of certain death’ scenarios?

The wizard quickly relayed the spiraling situation to Captain Blackskull via sending stone. Shal was an obvious threat, and the Deepking was not in his right mind. It was enough for Blackskull to surge forward with her coup. But the captain blatantly recommended that the companions not engage the Deepking until she was present. But more than fifty Darkhafts, the Deepking’s secret police, stood between Errde and the throne room. It would take time for the captain and her honor guard to work their way in and for the word to spread amongst the Stoneguard to break their cover. For now, the adventurers were on their own.

“Bind their hands!” Horgar commanded.

The guards began to quickly advance.

But the companions had no intention of going willingly.

. . .

Read more here: https://archiveofourown.org/works/35100307/chapters/123922831

or

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13962836/37/The-Grey-Warriors

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Captain Errde Blackskull, Captain of the Stoneguard, from 'The Grey Warriors,' a retelling of a completed Out of the Abyss (Dungeons and Dragons) campaign.

Read the story here: https://archiveofourown.org/works/35100307/chapters/87436915

[lumendelmari]

Shal, duergar consort and advisor to Deepking Horgar Steelshadow V, from 'The Grey Warriors,' a retelling of a completed Out of the Abyss (Dungeons and Dragons) campaign.

Read the story here: https://archiveofourown.org/works/35100307/chapters/87436915