35-37 Erathisway 4520: Travelling Eastward - Battervold

Arkomir writes...   After a couple of eventful days in Dunkelgrun East, we woke early and made our way downstairs for breakfast. Thaniel’s father met us there, offering us some sturdy travel rations for the road—a thoughtful gesture. As we sat eating, we were greeted by Klaus Holbruck, the captain of the ship we’d be traveling on. Courteous and efficient, Klaus made sure we were ready to depart.   We gathered our belongings, said our goodbyes to the Moulton delegation, and boarded the ship. The journey along the river took a couple of days, a relatively smooth passage through calm waters and quiet countryside.   On the afternoon of the second day, the city of Battervold came into view. Smaller than Confluence, it nonetheless impressed. From the river, we could clearly see the upper city perched atop a plateau, with its stately architecture and well-ordered streets. The lower city sprawled beneath, and a scattering of buildings nestled between the two tiers gave the place a cohesive, structured feel. As we passed through the water gate, we spotted Cavaliers stationed there and asked where to deliver our travel papers. They directed us to the West Gate where the Garrison was located.   Klaus welcomed us formally to Battervold, the City of Temples, and offered to guide us to the West Gate. As we approached, he pointed out the building we needed. We disembarked, collected Blackstar and Fringey, and made our way toward the Garrison.   We tethered the horses outside and entered, asking for the appropriate contact to hand over our documents. After a short wait in a modest receiving area, we were met by Commander Welling. We delivered our travel papers and provided a brief summary of recent events. Welling, polite and efficient, asked if we’d be staying in town and recommended the Priests Nook on the plateau.   With that, we headed up the Beltway, the road that cuts through Battervold, and ascended the Celestial Arch—a steep and impressive structure. Our horses made the climb manageable, though Dharra couldn't help but marvel aloud at the craftsmanship of the arch. At the summit, we were met with wide, clean streets and a central plaza featuring a grand fountain. Temples and civic buildings clustered around the square—older than their counterparts in Confluence, but clearly well maintained.   Near the fountain stood Hanirash. His face and forearms bore the marks of recent battles. Beside him stood a figure in dark robes, face obscured by a white, expressionless mask. When the figure removed it, a pale, somber face was revealed. Hanirash introduced him as Lament, a human male and an inquisitor of The Raven Queen.   Hanirash had recently returned from Bright Shore in the north, where he received his wounds. He gave us a tour of the temples—dedicated to deities such as Evandra, Bahamut (his own), Bane, Corellon, Erathis, Ioun (which doubles as the city library), Kord, Pelor, and Sehanine. Others, like those of Gruumsh and Asmodeus, are hidden or located elsewhere. A Moradin temple lies farther down the mountain, built directly into its side, while the followers of the Raven Queen gather near the cemetery beyond the city walls.   In the centre of the plaza’s fountain stood a poignant statue: a host of wretched, weary figures of many races, representing the terrible losses of the Great Plague and the ensuing scarcity. Not far from there, near the Temple of Erathis, Hanirash showed us the Priests Nook—our lodging during our stay.   Another statue nearby depicted five heroes: The Death Watch. A knight of Pelor led the group, his shield emblazoned with the sun god’s symbol. Behind him stood a female elf with an antler motif, a hammer-wielding dwarf with a featureless mask at his belt, a woman with arcane wrappings and a book and shield bearing Ioun’s symbol, and a tall, silent guardian in full armor. Dharra identified their foe—someone named Vergrath.   After stabling the horses, we joined Hanirash and Lament inside the Nook for a drink. While Lament stepped outside, we spoke with Hanirash about his new companion. Lament, it seems, is an essential part of their current investigations—one that benefits from the insight of a follower of the Raven Queen. Understandably, our past dealings with the undead piqued their interest. Bright Shore had been destroyed, its ruins now watched over by undead sentries. Lament, notably, was intrigued by the armor I now wear. He warned us that not everyone we meet will respond kindly to it.   We spoke at length about the recent attacks on Confluence, Verdant Island, and Bright Shore, trying to piece together a connection. Remote and overlooked, Bright Shore had fallen quietly. Funi came up often in the discussion—how she was used, how powerful she really was, and what she might have known. We danced carefully around certain facts, choosing not to disclose too much.   The conversation shifted to The Cleansing Wave—Dharra brought them up—and Lament had heard of them. In Battervold, remembrance of that era is tied to Bruno & the Vanguard. The city’s name comes from Volder, the giant who once ruled this plateau. Learned and powerful, Volder gathered other giants and fortified the land. Bruno & the Vanguard, along with The Western Irregulars, defeated them. Any surviving records of that time are likely in the Ioun library.   Eventually, Hanirash and Lament took their leave. We stayed behind for dinner and then decided to take a walk under the moonlight.   The three moons hung bright in the sky, their near-full glow lighting the plateau. Lanterns flickered throughout the Divine Circle. At the clock tower, little automata emerged with each chime—one bore a striking resemblance to Jack of the Vanguard, another to Dusk.   On the north side of the plateau stood a tall, dark tower with pale stonework—likely repaired at some point. To the east lay the Unity Span, completing the Beltway. Down the rise, the Starkbeine stretched in steps. Statues dotted the area: one of Eldric Kurabil, hero of the Crimson Retribution; another of Prince Emerik, the hero of the Demon Siege. Near the spot where we first entered the plateau stood a statue honoring the Battle of StoneBridge—Prince Corbin Kurabil and Garet Holshom, Lord Commander of Steinwark, alongside the Western Irregulars.   We returned to the Priests Nook. Before turning in, Dharra cast Identify on the hat we found near the Aboleth pool. She didn’t glean much—only a vision of dwarven hands shaping it—but she confirmed it was a Hat of Disguise.   It had been a long day of travel and discovery. Tomorrow promises more questions, but for tonight—we rest.