Adventure in Russet Hollow

Baron Grember's men rode upon the armored horses that thundered into Russet Hollow at highsun, turning the heads of the townsfolk in alarm. Among those gathered in the townsquare was the local cooper, his wife and their young tiefling son, Corim Colm. The boy was mature now, having learned the ways of the world and of women during his recent travels to Altru, Kurth and Mount Grimmerfang. Corim, like his friend Animosus, and arugably some others, had lived what seemed a lifetime during these past few months. The lands of Kurth,—their homeland, was valiently saved by the company, and the people of Russet Hollow were happy to have their 'hero' back. Though before his renown, Corim was just another young man in an otherwise average small town in the lands belonging to the fair and forthright Baron Grember.

The dust of the road kicked up by the horses was still in the air as Eldin, Grember's son shouted to all: "Who among you has not heard the Clarion bell?"

The people, wondering the cause for the alarm, responded that none had heard the bell in ages. Corim's mother, Ara, set her basket of flowers down, protecting them from the dust in the air with a light brown veil. She eyed her son's expression, trying to determine if this alert was related to any of the wondrous activies Corim had returned from doing. She was glad to have Corim back, and approved of his new sense of self. She felt relieved that Calec and she had not done him harm with the secret they kept from the boy all these years. But now the soldiers were here, and the mother's heart sank low in her chest, reminding her of the day Corim suddenly left for Altru. Calec put his arm around Ara.

"Where is Semptner the Verdant One, Pastoral of Chauntea?" the soldier shouted again, this time uncloaking himself to reveal the polished armor of his command and the crest of Baron Grember. The crest was a simple one, though plainly bold and brash like the baron, for Grember's heraldry was a greatsword, unimaginative but clear of message.

The townsfolk muttered, Corim spoke up to explain Semptner had not been seen in days. Eldin was deligted to meet the fanged hero of Russet Hollow for word of his return had spread northward through the hamlet of Nettle via the lumbermen's shipments of blackwood that traveled weekly through the vale between the easterly Maskyr's Wood and the westerly rim of the Flooded Forest. In true oral tradition, Corim's deeds were known from Baron Grember's keep, northeasternly along the Harvest Road toward Thunderweep where the road bends south toward Kurth, and as far south as Baron Thrunwendel's Keep. Over the past month Russet Hollow had enjoyed a boost in revenue from export where 'eer the mention of the hero was made.

Speaking privately to Corim, the soldier dismounted and said, "Come, away we must to the Clarion Bell—only fell magic could undo the power of the bell. Lord Grember once assited a certain mage named Elminster and had earned a modest reward... the bell system for his lands."

Without hesitation, Corim turned to run home but his eyes met Calec's. "Don't be leaving us, son," his dad said with the tone of a question. "I promise to return this time," replied Corim who went to donn his armor and then meet Eldin at the temple. Once there, Corim easily unlocked the door to Sempner's home. The soldiers searched the home, racing deep inside until their footsteps could not be heard.

Corim was alone. Something was amiss.

Corim noted the receving stamp upon the Zhentarim crate fragment hidden behind the styled sitting chair. It read, "From Falconwell 11 Kythorn."

Thud! Corim was knocked forward as his aquaintance from Iroth mine greeted him with a slam. It was the minic in the partial form of a marble table and its force was strong. Corim drew his weapon as the creature fled for the door. Corim bellowed an alert that echoed through Semptner's various halls. Soon the clatter of armed men filled the main room. Corim lashed out at the sad creature who then begged for mercy.

"Please spare me my life. I shall tell you everything, just spare my sad life!" it pleaded.

Both Corim and Eldin lay into the creature with words of intimidation, forcing it to tell more that it had planned on revealing. But the creature was truly afraid for its life, and held no precise loyalty to anyone. But what it said rang true. What it said convinced Corim that the Vast was not yet safe.

The creature explained quickly in a way that reminded Corim briefly of the confusing cadence with which Kelestri sometimes spoke, "Iythuzach completed his work at Iroth mine. With the corpse discovered within the Calishite tomb, the Myrkul priests asked what questions were necessary of the corpse, and the Illithid compared these notes with the preserved brain/mind contained in the brain pale. The secrets of the great Caliphs died with them. Among those secrets... was the secret of how to key portals to the plane of air, providing great mechanisms upon which cities and castles in the air may be built. I was placed here to destroy Semptner quietly. That box explains how I got here. The current area of control is a triangle that channels wind through topside, ...er, through long tunnels that look like wormholes beneath the earth. Each of the three keys are being hidden, scattered across Faerun."

The creature was bound with rope, manicles, and chains by the baron's soldiers. Corim and Eldin followed the creature outside. By the mimic's expression it was not interested in trying to escape... at least, not any time soon.

Unbeknownst to Corim, his father Calec looked on as he stood in the shade beneath a willow, grinning at the momentary sense of adventure he felt, as he lived for just a brief moment through is son's eyes.


Map of Russet Hollow Key:
1. Grainery & Winter Surplus
2. Constabulary
3. Cooper (The Colm Residence)
4. Homes (family dwellings)
5. The Russetview [a multi-purpose building containing a brewery, bar, general supplies/trade room, town hall room, 4 rooms for let for travelers (up), and brew cask storage below]
6. Smallmill Bridge
7. Millwright
8. Temple of Nature's Harvest (Chauntea)
9. The Harvest Road
10. Russet Hollow Cemetery