Nikon, Bardman, and Helios spend 3-4 days as guests in the Rhohgnah capital. They meet Salgerra’s family, a mixture of humans and dwarves. The Lighthorns are the protectors (not rulers) of Rhohgnah, and they protect their lands. The council of nobles are disconcerted by the tales of the attack by ogres and perytons, and send out several heavily armored patrols. Unfortunately, they feel uncomfortable sending out too many, as now is the “busy” season on the front lines and mercenaries are coming in from across the realms to join the battle now that the ice has drawn back. This leaves many contingents of troops coming through Rhoghnah, and they have to keep a sizable police force in town. Unlike many other realms, the Shuror don’t have police, as they naturally have little crime (DC Insight to see some of the nobles don’t agree), so this wears on them each year when they have to monitor the mercenaries. However, they do not have the armies to conquer Corrive, but only to hold them off for the moment. They have been looking for allies, specifically in Corrive borders who might help them. They have been trying to work with Corrive’s native population of humans, in hopes they might help but over the last couple hundred years this strategy has not seemed to be viable. The party stays in Kaithorn Stronghold, a Shuror stronghold accommodating a few hundred soldiers. The party each stay in a room that has a king sized bed, a desk, a chair, and a statue holding a brazier. These statues are prevalent throughout the stronghold. The rooms have the occassional picture or other decoration, but are mostly plain. After just a couple days, the party realize they are staying in the noble’s chambers, while Salgerra’s family have been either staying in the guest quarters or sleeping in the common area with the troops. After a 3-4 days of rest and relaxation in the dwarven fortress, the players have a chance to unwind. Gleep does escort them here, seeming to be happy. He is treated like a celebrity of sorts, and the fact he has attached himself to Nikon means even moreso. Reeta asks Nikon if she can borrow his hat of disguise. Apparently, she didn’t want to alarm the party, but Gillia is wanted for questioning as a Dree. She fears for her friend, and seeks his help. She promises to help him however he chooses in the future, a boon, if he would donate the item for them. Helios is approached by several Shuror scholars and scribes, who ask him what brings him to these lands. They’ve heard of his abilities and would offer any information he seeks in exchange for information on his blessing. He hears more of this hermit to the north who also also can summon the power of the Phoenix. Bardman discovers that Shevorth libraries, but also a small bard college. The Shuror are people of magic and weapons, but also of song. They have a strong oral tradition, and one based on ethics and virtue. Fortunately, he finds few needy folk in their midst, although he does find more like Amin are traveling to the front to bring back refugees. Those refugees that are brought back are fed, clothed, and treated well as long as they are willing to work for their dinners. His songs have already caught on, as has word of him. They call him by all the names he has used, including Nikon, which he told the Tiefling and has somehow managed to make it back to this part of the realm almost by overnight. His fame is compounded by Nuggle’s reservations of his deeds, and he has been painted out as somewhat of a messiah figure among the refugees. He can’t go to their part of the city without being swarmed by fans. As in the rest of Shevorth, everyone works for a living. There is some contention with the mercenaries who don’t all seem to understand. They come from lands where wielding a blade is all they have to do, and are sometimes kicked out from the city and forced to live in camps outside if they violate the Shuror’s rules too many times. While they have jails, such are small. The Shuror would rather just kick them out of the city into the unforgiving countryside. After a few days in the royal fortress, it is not a castle but is bustling underground, the party has more than enough time to rest on their laurels. Ugh spends time outside of the town gates, he seems uneasy in town. Nuggle spends time with the refugees, the few goblins that are in town, some have been banished to the camps outside for breaking the law too many times. *** Late in the evening, as you are all having a nightcap (a few nightcaps for Nikon), Salgerra comes striding into the dining hall wearing her armor, she hasn’t been around all day. She says “Friends, I need your help.” She explains that they have under-realm highways that they keep well patrolled. This is one reason why beasts are able to make claim on the over-realm roads during the winter, is that the Shuror take to the ground during the winter months. One of her patrols sent word just a day ago a group of resistance warriors from Corrive led by a fierce half-elf knight who has gained infamy over the winter as a leader of the resistance, was leading a group of escaped slaves and refugees in through the tunnels. However, that tunnel has been beset upon by creatures of the underworld, and she’d like their help clearing out the way. *** Alaise has made headway in the last month, albeit underground. Their group has shrunk from the initial 200+ refugees to now around 120 + the accompanying troops. Along the way they have met orcs, hobgoblins, shadow beings, undead, fungus men, and a variety of other hazards. Their primary guide was killed in a skirmish a couple of weeks ago, he was a goblin by the name of Silgo. Silgo’s apprentice, Henvi, a human who spent some time mining as a child/teen, has taken over. Henvi is pragmatic about both their situation. “Well, boss. I think it’s that way. But I can’t be too sure.” Is a common phrase in his ear. One day they hear the sounds of roaring water and Henvi gets excited, “Holy Bahamut! I know where we are boss.” They go over a stone bridge, but with lava rushing underneath, instead of water. Henvi says “Well, from a distance it sounded like water.” On the other side they hear a commotion. With torches behind them leading over a hundred tired, hungry, and terrified refugees, they hear the sounds of footsteps coming from the darkness upon them. Alaise brandished his blade as the soldiers to his side prepare for the onslaught. *** Every once in a while Salgerra, Henvi, etc will come across a statue of a person in the passage holding up a bowl with both hands. On every side of the statue are other statues, but not so well poised. These range from lying on the ground to running, some attempting to fight. All are in motion and moving, or at the least cowering. They are of all races, but predominantly orcs, goblins, hobgoblins, and skeletons. The statues are almost too lifelike. There, in the large stone they will place food, cloth, trinkets, anything not shiny they have in the bowl then move the group back. After some time some singing comes from the darkness. It is only then that they move the group forward. At least one time Henvi has to shake people down for enough goods to put in the bowl. When asked, they will respond “These are the road-keepers. We pay for their services with food and goods. Gold and other shiney goods mean little to them. They don’t like reflect surfaces of any kind. However, cloth, food, leather, paper, these things they value. It’s an ancient pact between their kind and the Shuror. A pact of respect. Just don’t piss them off.” *** Game begins