Journey Notes

Khundrukar
Khundrukar is an old ruined dwarven fortress, built by the legendary Durgeddin the Black, a famed smith and thane. It is located somewhere in the Dawnforge Mountains 30 miles or so southeast of Hammerfast. Khundrukar was reportedly sacked by orcs sometime around the fall of old Nerath.

People of Khundrukar
Originally inhabited by the dwarves of Durgeddin’s clan, Clan Craghammer, it was long unknown whether the fortress lay empty or if any new inhabitants had moved in.


The adventurers found only a clan of orcs staying there, along with some goblins and a few ogres. There were other nasty things too. No dragons, luckily.

The party exited Khundrukar with a fair haul. They left the Dawnforge Mountains behind, hoping to make it to the "big" city of Fallcrest before too long.

Robyo wrote:


"If I were you, I would avoid Harken Village," she points to the southeast. "There are too many Iron Circle soldiers there. But Albridge should be safe enough."

They've got Baron Stockmer imprisoned in his own keep, and they've been plundering the land ever since. They say they're collecting taxes, but it's robbery, pure and simple."

"The folk of Harkenwold are ready to rebel-we just need a spark to set things off. I think you should talk to old Reithann, the druid, or maybe Dar Gremath. They'll know what needs doing. Reithann lives in the Druid's Grove to the southwest; you can find Dar just down the road in Albridge. But go carefully." She tries to smile. "I'd wager Baron Stockmer will richly reward you if you drive away the reavers and free him."

From the two brigands, the companions learn:
About six weeks ago, Captain Nazin Redthorn led a large company of 250 Iron Circle mercenaries into Harken in a surprise attack. The brigands stormed Harken Keep and took Baron Stockmer captive.

The Iron Circle's continued sweeps and raids have quelled any show of resistance, leaving Harkenwold a conquered land.

The new bandit "authorities" are pillaging Harkenwold through "tolls" and confiscations, harshly punishing anyone who resists. Nazin is further strengthening his hold by negotiating with other malignant forces. In partiular, he's used some of the loot he's plundering from Harkenwolds' suffering populace to buy the freindship of a group of odious bullywugs.

The Iron Circle's ruler is known as Lord Vhennyk. The group came to the Nentir Vale from the southern city of Sarthel roughly two months ago. Their mission: Bring the Nentir Vale to heel. Vhennyk decided that overt operations would start in the relatively isolated Barony of Harkenwold, a collection of hamlets scattered over fifty miles of the upper White River Valley. He tasked Redthorn with seizing the Harkenwold region, while implementing other plans for the Vale. Besides using force, Vhennyk has spies and informants operating in local towns. The group has ties to evil gods and devils.


Ilyana had walked up and listens to Garr and Terry spilling their guts (mostly Terry does the talking). She adds, "There IS resistance in the Wold, but we are not great warriors. Dar Gremath and Rethann are the ones most knowledgeable about the rebellion."