Gathering the Banners

With Helgafel fallen, the party has re-organized in the small village of Brimholt. The Jarl, Hroald Render, has gathered together a War Council to begin planning how to eliminate the Varkhurl threat and retake Helgafel. Everyone has acknowledged that more banners must be added to the war council with various ideas as to what allies could be called in. It's up to the Storm Wardens to gather them.  

Act I: The War Council

The party entered Brimholt's Grand Hall and were ushered into the meeting room for the War Council. There they met with the other 10 current members and began to discuss and plot on a map hanging on the wall. What follows is a synopsis of what was said by the other members.  

• Jarl Hroald Render: “You all know me Hroald Render of Brimholt. My duty is to see this hall and these lands stand when the smoke clears. But Brimholt alone cannot retake Helgafel. We must gather strength, or all of Jovin will burn. Sue here informed me of an ancient and mythical creature of immense power aiding one of you? Perhaps he could lend more aid in this endeavor.”
• Sir Stew Render: “I am Sue Render, son of Hroald. I’ve sworn myself to the Order of the Hammer - not just Brimholt, but all people of The Wildlands who’ll stand against tyranny. If we are to triumph, we’ll need more than steel; we’ll need unity. And I mean to forge it. Speaking of, remember those humanoids the giants had with them? They appeared to be slaves. If we could only communicate with them, we might rally them to our side. We also are owed a favor or two from the Jarl of Holmkelsa.”
• Ragnar Render: “I am Ragnar, first son of the Jarl. My sword is ready, my shield unbroken. But this war will not be won with good intentions. We need warriors, allies, gods themselves - or we march to our deaths.”
• Stigr Ironbrand: “I am Stigr Ironbrand, once housecarl to Jarl Vatraskald. I have nothing left but my shield and my shame. Helgafel was lost on my watch. I will see it retaken, no matter the cost, even if it means standing alone against the giants.”
• Gudrik Hvalmarsson: “Gudrik Hvalmarsson, shipmaster of Helgafel’s fleets. The people starve, and coin bleeds from us like water through a cracked hull. To fight, we need supplies, ships, trade, and allies beyond our borders. Perhaps the berserkers of Hals could be persuaded to come to our aid? We could offer generous shipping agreements in the future for aid now."
• Seravon: “I am Seravon, forged in the fire of heaven and hurled to your world by Strithsvaldur, Bringer of War. I will crush the fire giants with my own hands if need be. But this is no single battle. It is a war, and war demands armies. I believe the gods are on our side. I'm proof of Strithsvaldur's dedication. Perhaps the others should be petitioned as well.”
• Aline Soyer: “Aline Soyer - arcane biologist. Former mercenary with the warband Bloodwolf. The giants are a threat, yes, but so too is the surge of arcane energy spreading from Helgafel. This is getting into physics which is well outside my expertise, but even I can see that if this is left unchecked, it will warp everything it touches. We’ll need every ally we can find: warriors, maybe even Bloodwolf could answer the call - I hear Arnor is still in charge, Tonn - voices of the gods... I've also heard tale of a city of dwarves dwelling atop the Hals Peaks. Probably just a story, but if not, well everybody knows dwarves hate giants. At least, that's what all the faerie tales used to say...”
• Sister Synra: “Sister Synra, servant of Saekongr. The King of the Sea has spoken: the tide rises against us. Without the favor of the gods, our cause is lost. Zaevan - Solsgr must hear your call. You know where to meet with him. Skjermet - Isfru will not stay silent forever. The Frostveil Gorge. Find her there. And there are whispers that Yiflongunar and Glathis, too, stir in these days. Perhaps Brother Jorund can speak more on these matters.”
• Leivar Thornvein: “Leivar Thornvein, runemsith. I offer my runes but one man cannot outfit an army. I’ve heard similar rumors to what Aline stated - tales of dwarves under or atop the Hals Peaks. It's said runesmithing originated with them. If they could be found… their craft might turn the tide.”
• Brother Jorund: “I am Brother Jorund, humble servant of the gods. I have no sword to offer, but I have ears. And I hear a common refrain - that this war cannot be won by steel alone. We've heard from Strithsvaldr and Saekongr. We've heard talk of Isfru and Solsgr. But what of Glathis, Saelasar, and Yiflongunar. They each have pilgrimage sites in The Wildlands as well. The Blooming Pools west of Ormsdalr, The Bloodfield outside Jorundar, and The Hall of Silken Veils in Ormsdalr. You can meet with these three there.”

 

War Council Map

The pins in purple are already gathered. The pins in green are future leads. It may not be possible to gather all potential allies before the final assault.  

Act II: The Easy Banners

The party already has connections regarding these potential allies and/or relatively easy ways of contacting them.

Holmkelsa

As Sir Stew Render pointed out, the Jarl of Holmkelsa has promised favors to the Storm Wardens in the past. It should simply be a matter of getting word to him of the War Council's call for aid.  

Solsgr, The Lord of the Sun

Zaevan has a relationship with the deity and has even spared one of his fallen celestial warriors - Raziel. Sister Synra verified that the Dawnfire Sanctum is where Zaevan must travel if wishing to petition for his direct aid.  

Ekandor

Cora's connection with Ekandor has been well established at this point. The True Dragon is far off and it's unclear how much aid he'd be able to offer, but Tiktuk has proven to be able to carry messages with haste if need be, his last trek taking only a couple of days.  

Bloodwolf

The warband is not an army, but you'd be hard-pressed to find fiercer (and maybe more foolhardy) fighters throughout The Wildlands. Aline Soyer and Tonn both have personal connections to the warband, with the latter having once lead the group. Finding them may be a bit of an issue, but Aline stated she heard they were last spotted somewhere between Lagey and Hals, and that Arnor was still in charge, a former lieutenant under Tonn.  

Act III: The Great Banners

These potential allies have tenuous ties or no ties at all to the party at the moment. As such, it may be more difficult to convince them to join the War Council. However, they each offer a unique advantage that may turn the tide in the War for Helgafel.

Isfru, The Lady of Ice

Skjermet has followed the lady all his life, but the gods have been silent that entire time. Now, with them waking up and becoming more active in the world, he may be able to petition her aid directly. Sister Synra mentioned a pilgrimage to the Frostveil Gorge near the Hals Peaks, off a tributary of the Helgafel River.  

Saelasar, The Prince of the Harvest

This deity has yet to interact personally in any specific way with the party. As such, he is the most mysterious and least connected to current events. Who knows what convincing it could take to get him on board, or if he would be able to hear their petition at all. However, if he is to hear and to act, a pilgrimage to The Bloodfield outside Jorundar is required.  

Yiflongunar, The Lady of Desire

Felix Grey has seen the lady, or an avatar of her, in his dreams. He's had no specific or intentional connection with her, but it seems she is interested in him. Unsure of how else to get in touch with her, Brother Jorund mentioned a holy site, the Hall of Silken Veils in Ormsdalr.  

Glathis, The Giver of Joy

Second in mystery only to The Prince of the Harvest, this deity has shown up very sparsely thus far. Apparently taking a liking to Imp, healing his wings and bolstering his joy of life, she's been otherwise very distant. Brother Jorund mentioned a trek to The Blooming Pools west of Ormsdalr and the Eyjara River, a site which she seems to bless.  

Varkhurl's Slaves

Nothing is truly known about the race of humanoids the Varkhurl have been utilizing in their employ, but Sir Stew Render reminded the party that they noticed the creatures seemed to be slaves of the giants. As such, it's possible they may be incited to rebel. If only they could find a way to communicate with the creatures...  

The Berserkers of Hals

It was mentioned a few times that the people of Hals are known throughout The Wildlands as fierce warriors - berserkers who know no pain nor fear. It's unknown how or if the party could convince them to join the War Council, but it's readily agreed that there are no better allies to gather together when going up against giants.  

The Dwarves

Aline Soyer and Leivar Thornvein both mentioned tales of a city of Dwarves residing either underneath or atop Hals Peaks. Maybe these are unsubstantiated rumors, but Leivar Thornvein, the runesmith, claimed that runesmithing originated with Dwarves. If that's the case, and these creatures do exist nearby, it'd be foolhardy to not attempt to gather them into the War Council. Their craftsmanship could give a single soldier the strength and fortitude of a dozen men.