Coldshore on the horizon

We spent the next few days evading gnolls and other potentially aggressive encounters on the Gilded Plains.

"Knowledge (the Plains)!"

- Øivind in response to our lack of knowledge on the region

Narg, our gnoll captive, woke up one night and tried to escape his bonds. I...uh, remained asleep for the whole incident, including his submission to Archduke's intimidation. While it's nice to get my sleep, I fear not being ready when there is a need for me.

As long as he isn't trying to mount me,
I've got no problem.

- the Archduke Neo on bringing Narg along

The day after, I, through Brik's translation, began talking with Narg to learn about him and the region. It saddens me that so many are raised as he was, learning not to honor love, but to worship strength, even at the cost of others. That the Duke of Coldshore, a man I would otherwise expect to be a civilized man, is a part of this arrangement further darkens this land. Slavery is an abomination before Love's Essence; it is, perhaps, the worst perversion of Love, one where men obey not out of consent, but from fear and force.

While the Essence may be too distant from the ideas Narg grew up with and believes in, Brik's Kord may offer an alternative he can accept and learn to embrace. Yet, I must be wary of engaging in the same kind of force I've just decried; any conversion must come with his own free will.

Good thing you speak Gnoll, or I'd have to correct you.

- Robert's slightly veiled "reminder" on Flint's Gnoll-language conversation

***
Before we arrived at the gates of Coldshore, Susannah left our group as she was to meet with her fellow druids outside the city. Should we require her assistance in the future, we are to seek her out at King's Hill outside the city. We bid her farewell and continued onward.

***
We entered into Coldshore at midday. The guards at the gate questioned us on our two extraordinary companions, Xzath and Narg, but accepted our insurances for their behavior.

That's going to be a problem.

- Flint on the guards wanting to inspect our wagon

What? You got narcotics in there?

- the Archduke's interjection to Flint's comment

The Cathedral to Moradin was our first target. Our walk there included a processional of sorts for the Archduke, as befits his stature. While he may not have been known in Coldshore previously, he has undoubtedly raised a few eyebrows now.
After introducing ourselves to the acolytes, they escorted us into the cathedral, where we waited for an audience with the Bishop Iverson.

The altars of Moradin are forges.

- Øivind, Robert, & Ellen in unison

We waited for only a short while, as the Bishop was apparently anxious for our report.

***
Flint and I delivered our report, with details provided by the Archduke, Hunolt, and Patience. While distressed by Magda's demise, his Eminence provided us with little information. The Bishop thanked us for securing the relics from Grymnon and dismissed all except Flint and myself.

She was one of our partymates.

- the Archduke on Magda

The Holy Mace of What's-his-name.

- Flint on the major relic secured from the Grymnon monastery

Thoon! They tend to shout this out and explode.

- from the Archduke's description the Ardheim threat to Grymnon and beyond (including the now-deceased Abbot of Grymnon)


During our private audience, his Eminence questioned us further on the events we had witnessed with regard to Grymnon and the threat of Thoon. The Bishop invited us to a private conference, on which I can divulge no more, out of respect for the Church and his Eminence.

***
From I've gathered, the rest of our group split up as follows:

Patience and the Archduke sought and gained an audience with the Duke of Coldshore.

Patience sought out available inns, intent on finding the one best suited for us as a group and for our finances (the Archduke has repeatedly stressed the party's lack of funds).

Brik, Hunolt, Narg, and Xzath attended the Cathedral of Kord, where Hunolt received the beginning instructions for joining Kord's fellowship of clerics.

The Archduke shopped for the components needed for his arcane magics, followed up with initial instruction in how to harness his self-reliance for combat.

***
NPCs introduced

[group] - two guards at the Coldshore gates, whom Peter tipped

The Bishop Iverson - head of the Coldshore Cathedral of Moradin; expresses tension with Duke

The Duke of Coldshore - ruler of Coldshore; expresses tension with the Bishop Iverson