Session 1: Setting Out Report

It was decided that a week after Arias name day the expedition would set out. The coming thaw of spring would hopefully yield calmer weather as they travelled the hundreds of leagues down along the coast of what remained of Hrivenor from the Sundering. Aria was unsure of the expeditions primary participants but was optimistic to the future.  

There was Aelorna, a woman of some musical talent, and a clear noble upbringing but no noble bearing to her name or purpose here. Isenara and Aranesi the twins, they were explorers and knowledge seekers, having caught her mothers attention for their abilities to navigate the ruined landscape, and so Aria had brought them into service, but she was unsure of which Nytraven their loyalties were truly owed. Daereth her life long bodyguard and confident, his quiet stoicism was at least a constant she knew she could rely upon for this journey. Nymeria, a young but skilled architect with a curious accent. She was looking to make a name for herself in rebuilding their homelands and Aria wished to make a city that would be a shinning example of what the Elves of Winter could offer the world. It was a match of ambitions that she hoped would bear fruits. Talindra, whom she had grown up, was another constant, tho she worried of the womans troubled relation with the divine and her power. Zaelith, a man from a family in decline had signed on looking to make a name for himself free of his family. Bhezel was a devout man, seeming to run from, or perhaps too a new destiny, she had not decided yet, but he looked capable enough.  

With fair winds and weather the 6 ships of the expedition set out south. 3 Days into the travel strange power was sense by those who can harness the primal forces of the world. Setting to shore and spending a day in exploration, they would find the faintest trail of new plant life sprouting along a very specific path. Further still this would prove to be a lay line with power flowing from Tir Na Nog, the realm of spring. Marking it down they would return to the ships and be under way once more. Another week at sea would find them amid a terrible gale. With 2 ships separate from the rest, Aria decided to keep to the plan and that they would rendezvous around the horn of southern Hrivenor before continuing on. It would take several days to get back on course with no sign of their comrades. Nearing months end the 4 remaining ships would set to shore and wait for the others to arrive, finding another lay line here, this one from the elemental realm of fire. On the next day their wayward ships would be seen, Aria and her company would set out for the Ruins to the south, leaving the rest of the expedition here until it was known to be safe.  

Lunathariel was now in sight, or at least what was left of it. Parts of the city could be seen jutting up from the ocean like a strange coral reef. Taking landing crafts ashore they navigated the troublesome waters, and landed upon the remnants of some old River docks, as old Lunathariel was never a seaside city untill the sundering dropped half of Velthanor into the sea. Careful they would move ashore finding evidence of previous Goblin habitation. It would prove however the area was still held by goblins, they had simply been turned. A swarm of Zombie like Goblins would descend on the expedition. Nymerias repeating crossbow would sing as goblins were felled, exploding as they did, filled with various noxious chemicals. Arias would send blasts of ice magic while the others pushed forward. Goblins would scurry along the underside of what remained of the docks emerging behind them and lashing out at Talindra. Daereth would fall back to cover the Oracle and stay near Aria as Bhezel, Zaelith, and Isenara pushed ahead. Isenara would move stealthy along the flanks providing cross fire with her own crossbow. Bhezels hammer would come crashing down crushing the goblin corpses caring little for the small explosions they caused. Zaeliths magic and sword would move together as he struck down goblin after goblin. Aelorna would sing a haunting song of inspiration but soon found herself pushed forward and becoming surrounded. Daereth would frown seeing her situation and would glance to Aria before pushing forward to cover Aelorna as best he could. "Dont worry hun we got this..." Nymeria would say appearing beside Aria from the shadows, another bolt hissing out. As the goblins swarmed, Deareth would shove Aelorna aside taking a heavy blow, Talindras magics would surge forward mending his wounds. As quickly as the surge of Goblin dead had arrived it had been dispatched. Patching their few wounds, the expedition would take stock of their surroundings and decide to push on for the old Winter Temple of the city, where a strange corruption was felt in its power.  

It would take 4 hours to pick their way thru debris of the ruined city, their movements drawing the attention of several zombie hoards. The hoards were thankfully slow moving and the expedition was able to dispatch them before becoming too overwhelmed. Taking another respite to bandage and rest, they looked to the stone steps that lead upto the temple mount which overlooked the city. It was going to be a long winding climb up, but they were ready.