The Oakdell Circle

by Inksalvation

A story about a group of D&D characters after completing the Tomb of Horrors in Chult. Some players have more than one character featured in the story representing all the characters they've played. This reads more like a description from a DM than a novel. The story is a sort of love letter to my fellow players in the game. Be sure to visit my forum for Q&A and to add your input.

2. Chapter 2

Chapter Two

The journey to Port Nyanzaru was swift and gentle. Only five times did it rain and it had been a light rain along the snaky river, welcomed among the summer heat and humidity that beat down on them in the dense tropical jungle. Ari made the party nervous by leaning over the side of the boat to dangle her bare feet in the water, not the least bit concerned for river monsters and other nasty creatures known to inhabit the primal waters. Chaucer created a magical disk which he tied off to the back of the boat and floated behind them, dunking himself in the water to refresh himself and splashing about. He was at peace on the water and missed his time living in the marshes. They'd done well to stock up for the journey, their trail rations and insect salve sustaining them for the entire trip. They'd even made good enough time to cut two whole days off of their trip thanks to Chaucer's control water spell, arriving in Port Nyanzaru just after noon on the twelfth day. The sun was high in the sky and swept oppressive waves of heat upon the port city as they arrived. At the cities gate they were welcomed as heroes, word travelling ahead of them thanks to Ari's falcon.

They were escorted in parade like fashion to Wakanga's villa, where Syndra Silvane would be found. Ari winced with anxiety at the bustling of the port city, seeing all manner of race and creature hustling about. At one point the group was held back as a dinosaur race blazed through the streets, the dinosaurs painted in lively colors. The colorful patterns and banners all about the city were vibrant and on full display, the sounds of the market filling the air mixed with the sounds of children at play. Parading into the merchant princes' villa they found that a crowd had gathered in anticipation of their arrival. At the head of that crowd was Wakanga and Syndra, pleasant smiles on their faces. "Welcome my friends," called out Prince Wakanga in a light island accent. "It is good to see you returned from your quest." The guards led them up the steps to Wakanga and left them, the crowd tightening up around them. Ari tried to hide within her cloak, nervous of crowds and large gatherings.

"You have defeated the evil that plagued the land and restored our vitality back to what it once was," Syndra proclaimed aloud as she stepped forward. "This day you will be honored as heroes not just in Chult, but all along the Sword Coast to which I will personally see to once I return to Baldur's Gate." She went on. "I promised each of you an item of great power upon completion and I will now honor that agreement." A young Chultan man softly moved over with a handful of weapons, armor, and trinkets. Bowing to Syndra they handed them off to her as she laid them out on a small table next to her. She took up first an intricately patterned halberd, holding it out ceremoniously. "For Samash, a Halberd of Wounding. Any enemy you hit with this can only regain health by resting, not by magical means. It also deals necrotic damage while they fight you." Samash took the weapon into his large green hands and smiled wide, his tusks poking up through his smile. "I am most honored, Lady," replied Samash.

"For Tamar Sunseeker, shadow of the party, I give a set of Glamoured Studded Leather, that you may blend in however you see fit by making your armor look however you desire." She held out the set of leathers to Tamar who took them graciously and stepped back into the party. This continued on until all of the party members had received a gift from Syndra, Wakanga standing tall alongside her with a satisfied smile on his bearded face. The crowd applauded and cheered each time a gift was given, tossing exotic flowers and showering them with petals. When all the gifts were handed out the party was escorted to a nearby inn where rooms had been prepared for them. Ari quickly escaped to her room to seclude herself from the crowds while Samash, Kuku, and Goilon hung around the common room and drank and told tales of their adventure to the mob of people that followed them. Tamar stuck to the shadows with Kevin and Adora while Chaucer took the stage and told tales of wonderment and awe to the crowd. This went on long into the night before the party retired to their rooms for the evening.

The next morning Samash went around and woke up most of the party for the short trek down to the market ward to seek out Bilben. Heading down to the common room first Samash found a breakfast buffet already laid out for them. He promptly sat down and began to dig in, grabbing for boiled eggs, ham, and potatoes. As he began to stuff his face Ari came down the creaking stairs, her hair done up elegantly in a nice big bun. She looked ready for travel, Staff of the Woodland in one hand, Wand of the Warmage in the other and a pack on her back. She crossed the room to where Samash was and began to lightly graze the fruits from the buffet. Sitting down she clasped her staff into a device on the side of her pack that Cotton had designed for her. It allowed her to set the staff into it and lower it down in to lock it in place. If she needed it all she need do was lift up and out. Her wand she tucked into her belt as she looked over at Samash.

"Dun go eatin all de food before de rest ah de paty get ere," she joked, laughing lightly at herself making some of her dreads bounce. Samash smiled through bites of ham and potatoes.

"I'm more likely to drink all the mead than I am to eat all the food," he laughed with his mouth full. Ari just shook her head with a light smile. Tamar, Kuku, and Chaucer came down next with Goilon following sleepily a few minutes behind. The dwarf was dressed in fine hunting leathers and breeches, his beard immaculate as usual. They ate well that morning and enjoyed the opportunity to laugh and talk freely with one another. When they were done they thanked the barkeep, left a few gold coins on the table as tip, and set out for the market ward to find Bilben's tower.

After an hour of wandering the Market Ward and asking locals for the location of the tower, they finally reached Bilben's tower, a squat structure that stood proudly among the other towers and academies, Samash took a deep breath and stepped forward to knock hard on the door to the tower. After a long moment a small dark-haired gnome in purple robes walked out of an unseen hole in the door. Muttering something inaudible to herself she glared up to Samash, Kevin and Adora poofing invisible in reaction to the sudden appearance of the strange creature. Instinctively Tamar slinked into what shadows she could find while Kuku just stared at the gnome in wonder and Goilon tightened his grip on his blunderbuss. Ari remained calm and silent. "I am Nyx, keeper of this tower. Who are you and what business do you have here?" asked the dry sounding gnome. Chaucer smiled and bounced to the front of the group beside Samash. Bowing to the gnome he said, "We're here to see the wise Bilben Mulberry. We have great news to deliver and request an audience." Chaucer bowed elegantly once more to the gnome in closing, being as formal as he knew how to.

The gnome looked over at him with big purple eyes and forced a smile, "You must be the Oakdell Circle. The great and benevolent Bilben has been expecting you. He received your earlier message and has prepared for your arrival. Please follow me and be at ease, you are our most esteemed guests." Samash looked confused as they all followed the mageling through the now open door.

Catching Chaucer's attention Samash whispered, "We never said who we were. How does it know we are even the right people?" Chaucer chuckled and lightly slapped Samash on the leg "Magic, my dear friend. We are on Bilben's turf now. I'd venture there isn't anything that happens here that he doesn't already know about. I bet he has all manner of stories to share!" Excitedly the grung followed closely behind the gnome, his frog-like feet slapping against the stones of the keep. Tamar brought up the rear, keeping to the shadows where she could and not making a sound with her elven boots. Goilon and Kuku walked side by side in the middle of the group, Goilon's blunderbuss now slung over his shoulder no longer feeling threatened, Kuku waddling with anticipation.

The young mageling lead them into a spiraling staircase that ascended into the squat tower, the tight stairwell only allowing for one person to pass at a time. The walls speckled with dancing magical lights, the party carefully navigated the winding stairs until they crested the top. As they came to the top landing the room opened up wide ahead of them. Exotic tapestries decorated the walls and ornate furniture filled the room. Bookshelves held all manner of tomes, trinkets, and bobbles while pitchers of liquid floated by aimlessly. In the center of the room in two lavishly cushioned chairs sat a small young halfling with wild white hair that was bald on top across from a cunning looking lizardfolk in elegant robes. At the lizard man's side hovered a red faerie dragon whose attention was focused on its master. An ornate staff leaned against the side of the lizardfolk's chair, the tips of three distinct tails emerging from within the chair. Floating out ahead of the party Nyx went up to the two seated in the room and in a formal voice announced the party's arrival.

"The esteemed Oakdell Circle has arrived and requests an audience with his venerable highness," stated the gnome in what might have been a snarky tone, "Sir Samash of Baldur's Gate, Sir Kuku of Icewind Dale, Sir Chaucer the White Grung of the Chultan Marshes, the Lady Tamar Sunseeker of Port Nyanzaru, Sir Goilon Nicklehair of the Hunt, and the Lady Ariani Sianodell of the Chultan Woodlands." The mageling turned to the party and extended a tiny hand towards their host. "Presenting his noble and esteemed-"

"Yes, yes, apprentice," Bilben waved a hand dismissively as he slid down from his chair to meet the party. "We all know who each other are, mostly. Go back to your studies in the library now and leave us be."

With her head low Nyx did as she was bid and quickly floated past the party and out of the room. Bilben approached the party with an extended hand as he ushered them into the room. "So nice to see you made it safely. You have succeeded where I and my party could not." Gesturing to the lizardfolk he introduced his other guest. "I believe some of you already know who this is, but for those of you who are newer, this is Razalgnar of the Weave, or Raz for short. He has come to speak with you about your recent achievements in the forgotten city of Omu." As if on cue Raz stood from his chair, his faerie dragon staying afloat just alongside his shoulder the whole time as the wizard's three tails fell elegantly behind him from where they'd been tucked into the chair.

"You destroyed the Soulmonger!" Raz hissed in irritation. "That artifact was to come to me as we had discussed back in my cave so long ago. Neither have you brought me the Ring of Winter from the fool human Artus Cimber, even having travelled with him briefly and still you bring me nothing. These were to be mine and you have failed me," bellowed the wizard. "I have an idea, though, on how you will make it up to me," he said cunningly shifting his gaze to fall on each member of the party. "You have a friend that no longer travels with you, an assassin of great power. He disappeared long ago into the unknown, but I have found him." The wizard shifted, leaning forward on his intricately carved staff. "You will go to where he is being held and you will fetch him for me," he said cryptically. "Upon his return your debt to me will be fulfilled." Bilben looked back and forth between Raz and the party nervously, unaware he would make such demands. He'd thought they were offering the party a chance to rescue their lost friend, not be subject to debts and favors for the wizard.

"Well that's a fine how do you do for saving the world," Samash said flatly. "I'm assuming you are referring to our old traveling companion Crom." The party looked at each other with confusion and apprehension. They hadn't seen Crom since they'd begun in Omu, the assassin disappearing abruptly. It was about the time they picked up Goilon after helping him defeat the king of the jungle. "And for that matter," Samash continued angrily, "no one agreed to give you the Soulmonger or the Ring of Winter. Those were powerful artifacts safe in no one's hands. If you know where our friend is then tell us so that we might retrieve him." They had no way of knowing where Crom had disappeared to and partly assumed he didn't want to be found. Now this wizard was saying he knew of Crom's location and was mounting a rescue operation. Chaucer stepped forward.

"What exactly do you plan to do with Crom once we find him?" Asked the grung. "I don't assume this rescue mission is for the good of the party or for Crom's sake," he said suspiciously. The remainder of the party looked at one another in agreement, wary of the offer the wizard was proposing. Nothing the lizard ever asked for was without some string or another attached. Raz considered the grung thoughtfully then returned to his chair to sit, ushering the party further into the room.

"Please have a seat. I will tell you what I have planned for the assassin once you rescue him." His faerie dragon flapped its wings excitedly, Raz shooting it an evil glare. "Sprinkles calm down before I eat you," the lizard said impatiently. Ari and Chaucer both flinched at the remark, believing whole heartedly that the lizard wizard would not think twice to eat his familiar. Kevin and Adora poofed invisible and hid behind Tamar who knew of the wizards pension for eating faerie dragons. As the party took seats around the two wizards, plopping down on various cushions and stools, Bilben leaned forward in his chair and addressed the party.

"Your friend Crom ended up in the Astral Sea, trapped in a state of stasis. For him only a day has passed since he disappeared as time moves differently in the Astral Sea," Bilben told them. "Provided he is still alive you should have no trouble retrieving him and returning him to the material plane."

"Still alive?" Asked Kuku. "What do you mean if he's still alive?"

"All manner of threats exist in the Astral Sea," interjected Raz. "From githyanki to dreadnoughts to slaadi and fiends. You will not be alone within the sea." He shifted in his chair, Sprinkles flapping off the back of the chair to perch on the mantle, Raz casting an annoyed glance at the faerie dragon. "You would do well to avoid civilizations on this plane, especially the great city of Tu'narath. It is the githyanki stronghold and one of many fortresses they occupy on the Astral Sea."

Bilben sat forward, pulling a small item from his coat. "This compass will help you to locate Crom once you are on the Astral Sea. It is enchanted to find Crom and Crom only," he said, "Raz and I will get you to the Astral Sea with our magic." He pulled a scroll from his other pocket and handed it to Chaucer. "This scroll will return you to us once you have retrieved the assassin."

"Once Crom is rescued," continued Raz, "he is to infiltrate the Zhentarim at Darkhold Castle in the Western Heartlands and he will assassinate the dark lord Sememmon who rules Darkhold with arcane power. He possess' an amulet of great power that I want but he cannot be parted with it least he forfeit his life," Raz said coldly. "This Crom is to do in recompense for you all destroying the Soulmonger and letting the Ring of Winter go free."

"Sounds like a one-man job," Tamar remarked. "What if he doesn't want to do it? Will you expect me to do it next?"

"It is indeed a task for one lone assassin," said Raz with authority, "If he values his freedom, he will do this. You will inform him of his payment to me prior to freeing him." With that he pointed a long-scaled finger to Ari whose eyes widened in surprise at the gesture. "She will be instrumental in freeing your friend as the elf is able to free him with her Freedom of Movement spell. The spell will free him from being incapacitated and restrained and allow him to leave with you." Ari shifted uneasily, nervous about leaving the material plane for the first time and having such a crucial role in this quest.

"And what if we refuse your quest, mage," piped up Samash, still standing among the group, halberd in hand as it usually was. "What if we do not agree that we are in your debt or that we determine you are an evil thing?"

"If you wish to make an enemy of me I strongly advise against it," said the wizard. "I am as powerful as Acererak and more deadly than a dragon. Choose wisely, barbarian."

Kuku waved his hand dismissively to the room. "There's no need for that. Crom was a friend and a strong ally. I only wish we could have gone after him sooner. Make no enemies today, for we will take up your task and free our friend." Kuku looked around to his traveling companions and nodded before looking back to Raz. "We thank you for the opportunity to do this." The lizard narrowed his eyes in a speculative fashion hearing the kenku speaking freely and not in mimicry.

"How is it that you, a kenku, speaks so freely? Surely it is not mimicry you use," Raz asked bluntly to Kuku.

Kuku proudly held up an amulet from around his neck. "This amulet allows me to speak what is in my mind so that I can communicate true and unbound." Raz nodded slowly as he eyed the amulet. "I thought I sensed a magic about your speech," he said coldly.

"How are we supposed to get around in the Astral Sea? I know you can propel yourself with concentration but that would take us forever." asked Tamar. It seemed she knew a thing or two about the plane already. "There is no gravity and very little 'land' if I remember what I've heard correctly."

"That is right," chimed in Bilben as he slid down his chair. "Follow me to the window," he said as he shuffled over to the rear window of the tower. The party got up and followed the odd halfling over to the window. Looking out they beheld a well-manicured courtyard with beautiful trees, shrubs, and flowers. At the center of the courtyard sat an exotic looking boat decorated in reds and purples. "That," Bilben exclaimed, "is an astral skiff! It will be teleported with you to the Astral Plane and will help you to navigate the Astral Sea."

Goilon spoke up from the back, "How are we ta pilot the craft? None of us are proficient with watercraft, lad," he stated with concern.

"That's where I come in," said a voice from around the corner of the room. The party looked towards the source of the voice and many were shocked at who they saw. A human man in a tri-corner hat stood lazily, leaning against the wall with his sailing jacket hanging open. He had a scimitar and rapier hanging at his hips from his belt and cuffed leather boots adorned in buckles and straps. He had a short beard and shoulder length brown hair tucked under a cloth bandana.

"Bran!?" Kuku asked and waddled over to the new face. Kuku was split on how to feel seeing his old travelling companion, his memory flashing back to that fateful day when Bran convinced Kuku to break out of jail with him from the forces of the Flaming Fist and then to the night when Bran snuck off in the middle of the night with the party's gold. Bran smirked to Kuku as he approached, smiling to the party as he stepped further into the room.

"Looks like there are some new faces. I remember Samash, Kuku, and Tamar well enough. I don't see Cotton here and obviously Crom's not here. The frog I met briefly and the elf and dwarf I've never seen." Bran stated at matter of fact. Kuku chimed in.

"Actually, we saw Ari, the elf, briefly when Samash and Cotton were throwing her corpse into the river as you and I were escaping!" the Kenku said. Samash blushed with embarrassment.

"Hmm," Bran uttered thoughtfully. "Well, for those of you who don't know me, I'm Bran Blackheart, Captain of the astral skiff outside, swashbuckler extraordinaire, and benefactor to Mbala." He removed his hat and bowed deeply. Kuku clapped his feathered hands together as he bounded out between Bran and the party.

"The elf here is Ariani Sianodell, or Ari, a druid of the jungles of Chult," Ari nearly sneered at the fast-taking pirate. "The dwarf is Sir Goilon Nicklehair of the Hunt, a dwarven monster hunter of great renown." Goilon tipped the brim of his hunting hat. "Finally, the grung is Chaucer of the Yellow King, a grand illusionist and bard among other things." Chaucer bounced up and down at the excitement of being introduced. Kuku's beak twisted into a smile as he completed introductions.

"Yes, well, if that is all, let us be done with this already," scoffed Raz as he moved to the door of the room. "Come now, we go."

The party and Bilben gathered their things and followed Raz out of the tower, his three tails swaying in step behind him. As they went down the tower steps Bran continued to further introduce himself and asked curt questions to the three new members he'd just met.

Outside in the courtyard the party looked over the ship. It was odd to see a ship stationed on dry land, stranger still that it stood straight up and did not lean or pitch to either side. The ship was in immaculate condition and looked to be constructed with great care and skill. Tamar wondered if it had ever seen use or if it was built specifically for this mission. Samash walked around the thing running his hand over the hull as he admired it. Bran leapt onto the ladder and scurried up onto the deck, taking a position behind the wheel. Calling out to the group he said," Well, what are we waiting for? All aboard the Dark maiden's Fortune!"

Bilben shuffled up to the front of the party as they were taking it all in. "We have prepared rooms for you each below deck. While in the Astral Sea you will not tire, hunger, or thirst. There is ammunition for the cannons should you run into any trouble. Be careful though for gravity and momentum work differently on the Astral Plane than they do here." He smiled to the party and ushered them onto the ship. "Well go on, have a look about. You're going to spend a lot of time on this craft. Better get to know it sooner rather than later."

Ever the curious cat Tamar was first among the party to join Bran on the boat. Looking up to him as she made her way down below she remarked, "I'm not calling you captain. Just putting that out there." Behind her flew Kevin and Adora, anxious to get away from the lizard that threatened to eat faerie dragons. Bran just smirked.

"Nice to see you too, Tamar," replied Bran with a smile as he leaned lazily against the wheel. Kuku and Samash were the next two to board the craft, with Goilon following closely behind. All three made their way around the top deck looking over the ropes and pulleys that held the sails up. As they went about the deck they considered all the tasks they knew to be necessary in order to navigate a boat on waters. Was the Astral Sea actual water, though wondered Goilon to himself. He wasn't a fan of water as it was and this would prove to truly test his resolve.

"I'm assuming you'll tell us what we need to do down here while you're navigating the ship?" Samash asked Bran as he held onto some rope netting meant to serve as a ladder to the crow's nest. "I've never manned a ship before so I'm going to need some direction."

Bran nodded with a smile. "Don't worry, I'll teach you what you need to know to be proficient. I'm not about to do this all by myself and I'm certainly not in the business of self-sabotage." Kuku saluted Bran with a smirk and made his way down below to behold the living quarters. Off deck Ari and Chaucer stood next to one another looking the boat over. With a smile and a hop Chaucer bopped onto the ship's deck and followed Kuku down below to the quarters. "I can't wait to see the Astral Plane for myself!" Chaucer said with enthusiasm as he followed Tamar down below. With heavy reservation Ari approached the ship. She had no desire to leave the material plane where she'd spent her entire life. Now that she was in fact alive again, she was unsure about taking unnecessary risks. Thinking about the matter for another minute she decided the risk to retrieve Crom was worth it. Lightly placing a hand on a rung of the ladder that ran up the boat's side, she paused to reflect on the situation. Breathing out a heavy sigh she lifted her robes and traversed up the ladder to join her party, going over to the middle of the top deck.

"Good then," said Bilben. "Now that you're all settled in Raz and I will get along with casting the Plane Shift spell. Please call your teammates to the deck and have a seat in a circle holding hands." The group did as they were instructed, taking one another's hands and sitting with legs crossed on the deck. Raz moved up alongside Bilben and waved his staff in the air and said, "Go forth with Mystra's blessing and return with your quarry." Bilben and Raz began to cast their spell, hands moving in somatic motions while they chanted the spell in unison. Goilon looked over to Samash and said, "Is it always like this? Out o' the frying pan an inta the fire?" Samash nodded solemnly. "Afraid so. But remember, high risk equals high reward." With a shimmer of light they faded out of view, ship and all.