In an interesting coincidence, every member of the Cooper family receives a quest from various inhabitants of Fort Inevitable on the same day.
In the morning, Thorne overhears a conversation in the store about a secret organization in Fort Inevitable called the Seven Foxes. This organization is dedicated to relieve some of the harshness of the Hellknights' occupation of the town. Later on that same day, he is approached by one of the frequent customers of Braddon's General Store who insinuates that, should Thorne ever hear of information concerning potential enemies of the Hellknights or plans to attack them, he should report them to him by contacting Ferdin the stableboy at the Juliver Arms. Thorne must now decide whether he will form an alliance with either the Hellknights or the Seven Foxes resistance.
That same day, Darelle overhears a complaint from Mother Holworth about high taxes and how she's most likely not going to be able to make. She decides to help her by giving her three gold crowns from the family's coffers. She also decides to contribute to replenishing these same coffers by discovering the path to reach the dungeons underneath the Emerald Spire, which she has heard would fetch a pretty penny with the Hellknights.
Having established a working relationship with Maralictor Kiera Wirt, Daryle is often in contact with the Commander of Mosswater Gate. On this day, she meets the Commander and Wirt reports that some of the dead goblins that have been turned in for bounty have been sporting an uncharacteristic mark. Three goblins in the last month wore leather armor with the symbol of a crude red crowned skull. Wirt wants Daryle to investigate the matter, and discover and destroy the evil force represented by this evil symbol. She will be rewarded by the Hellknights should she succeed.
Roscoe has started to train as a paladin when he's not performing at the Juliver Arms. Over the last week, he's made friends with Iliara Starcloak, leader of the Goldenfire Order of Thornkeep. In the morning, she informs Roscoe that she must head back to Thornkeep today, but she was not able to locate two missing wizards of her order, Jharun and Tiawask. They sent her a note a few weeks back saying that they were ready to explore the Emerald Spire, but since then, they haven't been seen. She entrusts Roscoe with the mission to find the missing wizards and bring them back alive, or at least bring their bodies back, to the Order. On a personal note, she also tasks Roscoe with finding three pieces of research about the Emerald Spire's portals and bring them back to her. She will reward him handsomely for both quests.
Upon hearing that Gerald is thinking of exploring the Emerald Spire, Abernard Royst proposes him a quest. Inviting him over to his house, Abernard tells the sorcerer that he has been studying the Emerald Spire for over a decade now, and he believes there are unbelievable powers retrenched within the structure. He has been looking for someone willing to head into the Spire and collect as much information from the inside as possible. Should Gerald return with a map of the underground level beneath the Spire, the old sage will reward him handsomely. Gerald readily agrees.
Abernard Royst's house
Pharast 31, 4711
On the last day of the quarter, the Hellknights celebrate their rule in Fort Inevitable by mustering their forces on the town square and executing the criminals condemned to death in the last three months. Because it's their first Mustering, the Coopers are strongly encouraged to attend, so they can be seen by the powers that be to be dedicated citizens, or at least not opposing their rule.
On a sunny morning following a rainy night, a third of the Hellknight force musters on the town square in front of the citadel, wearing their ceremonial uniforms. Pennants and flags fly high in the air as the force separates the crowd from the scaffolding where the Hellknight's swift justice will be dispensed.
Lady Commander Audara Drovust steps out of the Citadel and mounts the scaffolding. "Citizens of Fort Inevitable," she declares, "today we celebrate another successful winter where we protected Fort Inevitable from the perils that dwell in the Echo Woods." The assembled population clap politely.
"We are here today to administer justice to those criminals who have violated the laws of Fort Inevitable." Immediately, seven criminals are paraded in front of the crowd, and one by one, as their name, crimes, and sentences are pronounced, their heads are chopped off. A smuggler, a petty thief, a female hoarder, a merchant, and a tax evader.
The last prisoner, however, receives a special treatment. "Our last criminal is a Razmiran priest of the Living God!" shouts Drovust. At that, the crowd, which had been tepid in its support, hoots loudly as the false priest is hoisted on top of a pyre. The Coopers immediately recognize him. It's one of the local constables that tried to escort them away from their family! They cheer when the pyre is light and the constable burns to death.
Gozran 1, 4711
The Coopers come to Fort Inevitable and make their tax payments to the Hellknights, before heading out to the Emerald Spire. On a beautiful spring day, they head out on their first adventure as a group. The Spire is located about ten miles southeast of Fort Inevitable, and the trek is tense but uneventful, with no evidence of goblins or other monsters lurking in the woods.
The trip lasts six hours, and by the time the Coopers first catch sight of the Spire it is later afternoon. Cresting a small hill, they reach the edge of a large clearing about two miles in diameter. In the middle on top of a promontory rests the ruins of the Spire. A large complex built of glass emerald, the Spire still reaches about 120 feet in the air, but the front of the castle shows significant damage from a violent assault eons ago. The dimming sun bounces off the castle's structures, emitting a soft green light.
Strangely, the first mile or so of the clearing is filled with saplings and tall grasses, but then about a mile into the clearing all vegetation stops and the ground becomes barren. Large pile boxes and crude fortifications stretch around the base of the promontory, and are evidently the work of goblins.
Daryle decides to get closer to the Spire, and walks to the edge of the barren lands. She feels like someone is watching her, but she cannot see anyone. Getting closer, she hears the sounds of barking dogs close to the Spire's entrance. She returns to the edge of the clearing and shares her information with the rest of her family.
The Coopers come up with a clever plan. They will attempt to poison the dogs using natural drugs at night, so Darelle returned in the woods and gathered plants that would do the trick. However, before they were able to execute their plan, the dogs left towards the northwest, and soon the family couldn't hear them at all.
Gozran 2, 4711
After waiting another hour, they decide to approach the Spire and begin their exploration. In the first pile box they encounter they discover old ruined blankets and the pervasive stench of goblins, but nothing else. A crude access ramp has been built from the base of the promontory to the entrance of the Spire, where remnants of the ruined gate lay crumbled about. Large enough for a goblin, the Coopers have a hard time ascending it and must go single filed.
They reach the top of the promontory. In the entryway, the party is surprised by a goblin mounted on a goblin dog. Roscoe is bitten by the dog and fights for his life as Darelle and Daryle pour arrow after arrow into the goblin and his dog. Gerald casts a few spells, then attacks with his dagger. Meanwhile, Thorne sneaks around the goblin and enters the Spire. The magical properties of the Spire are such that any light source only provides five feet of illumination, and Thorne discovers that more goblins are hiding in this room when he is suddenly attacked by them.
The party is eventually able to triumph over the four goblins, but, having suffered significant injuries, they decide to head back to Fort Inevitable and cash in the bounty on four more bodies. Daryle reports to Maralictor Kiera Wirt that some of the coin retrieved from the dungeon was Numerian silver, and that some of the goblins sported a similar tattoo as the ones she had discovered earlier, but this one had a crown embedded in the design...
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