Chapter 5 > Neverwinter...In Search Of...

[hedgeknight]

With heavy hearts and a mixture of emotions, your group leaves the ruined village of Thundertree and the Neverwinter Woods and heads for what was once known as the City of Skilled Hands, Neverwinter. With Quilons help you gather your horses and the wagon on the way out and before long, you are on your way. It only takes a few hours to reach outlying grounds of the city.
The splendor of this grand port city has long since disappeared with the eruption of Mount Hotenow. From the hillside you are on, you can still see the great rift that splits the city nearly in twain.

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Looking at the city, you can see four gates > two on the northern side, two on the southern side.

To which gate do you ride? The track you are on leads to the first gate to the south. To reach the northern gates, you would need to cross the river. Where do you go?

[Jack]

From the top of the hillside, Uilon sees Haeredeth's garden in the city, and starts walking towards it. "Would anyone like to rest and eat at the city's druid garden, even if the accommodations and food are very simple? I'm sure Haeredeth would like to hear of your experiences with Reidoth and Venomfang firsthand, and your mission for the egg which she might be inclined to help with."

Hedge, would the garden be in the pauper's graveyard (near the south west gate (top left)), or somewhere else?

[coil23]

Aslaan

Aslaan immediately murmurs yes to Uilon's suggestion as he stares down at the city. Simple fare actually sounds good and a quiet garden sounds preferable to the imposing, chaotic city itself spread before him. Hopefully they can finish their business quickly here. And hearing the druid's input on Venomfang piques his curiosity. While he is no stranger to sacrifice and collateral damage, the druids seem to be comfortable taking it further than he has seen in his life. While it is dismaying, the boy wonders if there is more here than what he can see so far.

[OGRE MAGE]

Kelton looks over the city with an angry expression. He can see the devastating rift that stretches across his old homeland. Even from this distance he can see the ruined Corlinn Hill, the lands and estate that he was supposed to inherit, are now nothing more than a barren wasteland.

Although he didn't really want to return here, perhaps he will get a chance to see some of his relation now that he is back. The ones that weren't killed in the eruption that is.

We should stick together as best we can. I will go to the garden with you, Uilon. Any help with the dragon we can muster will be welcome.

[Dogma]

Gerland adds his agreement to visiting the druid's garden.

[wordoftheoracle]

As the Druid's Garden will allow us a place for respite and possible intelligence on what we will be facing, I would agree that that may be best. We can then make an informed decision on what to do about Flora and her offspring.

[hedgeknight]

Hedge, would the garden be in the pauper's graveyard (near the south west gate (top left)), or somewhere else?

It used to be there...before the Sundering and cataclysm that occurred after the eruption of Mount Hotenow. From what you recall, the druid garden/grove was destroyed and the druids were forced to move to a different location in the city.
Reidoth has not returned to Neverwinter since the eruption and destruction of much of the city. However, druids have come out to meet him in the Wood, and from what you recall, he mentioned that they moved the garden/grove to some new location near Blacklake.

[Jack]

Uilon approaches the southwestern gate, reminding himself to try to avoid the markets so as not to get those he's travelling with also intro trouble.

[OGRE MAGE]

Kelton snaps out of his fit of anger over the destruction of his homeland. He wants to make sure that his friends don't think that this is just another city like many others they have been to.

Easy there now. I am from Neverwinter and this is not the same place that it once was. The gate on the south side of the river, leads to the unpredictable and deadly areas of that damn Chasm. The next gate farther on, leads to the Protector's Enclave and is the only fortified and "civilized" portion of the city; Mintarn militia patrol the streets and the Wall, with some help from the staunch locals who do not wish to lose any more of their city to whatever evil is spawned from the Chasm.

The northern gates lead into the River District and Blacklake. It is well known that Orcs from the Many Arrows tribe control much of the River District; it's a rough area. Blacklake is not much better as rival factions fight and seek to control the area.

So, unless Uilon is sure of where we are going here, we better tread lightly. Unfortunately, I have never even heard of a druids grove in the city, destroyed or otherwise. Perhaps someone could direct us if we enter through the Protector's Enclave?

[Jack]

Uilon stops and backtracks a bit up the hill, "I've never been inside the walls, but Reidoth said the garden was near the lake", and he points down to a small grove of trees near Blacklake.

"You'll be the best person to decide if the southwestern gate thru the enclave, or the northwestern gate nearest the lake, is best."

[coil23]

Aslaan

I've never been here and am not even that keen to start now. The last thing I want is trouble here so whatever you think is best, Kelton.

[OGRE MAGE]

Kelton

If it is up to me, than I say we enter through the Southwest gate.

It might be easier to ask around about the location of the grove first before searching the ruins ourselves. There are places inside these walls that are no longer safe. We should ask around about those as well.

The young fighting man leads his friends past the dangerous chasm gate, heading for the entrance he suggested.

[hedgeknight]

With more than a little indecision and trepidation, Kelton leads the group toward the southern most gate on the western side of the city. Coming down in elevation, the group gives a wide berth to the northern gate which leads into an area where the great Chasm has rent the earth and destroyed much of the city therein. They pick up a track leading toward the southern gate and follow it for about a half a mile before coming to a closed gate leading into the Protector's Enclave.
As they approach, figures appear on top of the fortified wall towers overlooking the road. They are dressed in dull mail and carry crossbows. A tower door at the foot of the wall opens and four men stride out, each hold a loaded crossbow, each wearing armor and carrying swords. At the top a man says, "Ho, travelers. State your names and what business brings you to the city of New Neverwinter?"

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[OGRE MAGE]

Kelton steps forward, clearing his throat as he does so.

Hail and well met, goodly men of Mintarn! I am Kelton.......Bradford. First heir to the House of Corlinn Hill, from right here in the ruins of the former City of Skilled Hands, for all the good it does me now. These gentlemen and gentle elf are all friends of mine.

We seek hot food and strong drink, firstly! Then an audience with the Order of Druids here, specifically with Haerereth. Will you not open your gates to a former son of the city?

[hedgeknight]

"We open our gates to a great many former sons and usually find they do not quite measure up to their claim." The guard retorts, looking down upon Kelton and his companions.
"Submit to inspection and you will be allowed inside this gate. Refuse and you may take your pick from any of the other gates along the city walls. The druids are in Blacklake district; perhaps you should try over there. What say you?"

[hedgeknight]

"We open our gates to a great many former sons and usually find they do not quite measure up to their claim." The guard retorts, looking down upon Kelton and his companions.
"Submit to inspection and you will be allowed inside this gate. Refuse and you may take your pick from any of the other gates along the city walls. The druids are in Blacklake district; perhaps you should try over there. What say you?"

[Jack]

Uilon looks to Kelton, "If you don't think the guards will detain us, rob us, or" looking at his quarterstaff, scimitar, dagger, and darts, "prevent us from keeping our weapons; then I'll submit to their inspection."

Hedge, how wide, deep, and fast did it look like the river was flowing into the city in the east?

[Dogma]

"If this is the gate to the civilized part of town, we'll most likely get at least similar if not worse treatment at the other gates. I say we submit to the inspection and get on with finding this druid's grove."

[coil23]

Aslaan

He makes sure to look at the ground before rolling his eyes so no one else can see it. Nothing quite so tedious as a bored idiot. But this is certainly not the time or place to start teaching manners, no matter how satisfying that could be. Aslaan says nothing and sees what the outcome will be.

[OGRE MAGE]

As long as Kelton has no knowledge of the possibility of being robbed or imprisoned here.....

Kelton shouts back up.

We would prefer to travel through the city to reach the Druids. If this is still possible to do, and indeed if this gate is still manned by civilized folk, then we will submit to being searched. We have nothing to hide from you.