Master of the Vale (Kuthona (XII) 6th-12th, 4708 AR)

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The heroes returned to the Fort with news of their triumph against the bugbears. They decided to escort the work crew to preemptively handle any additional disruptions.

On Kuthona 12, a messenger arrived at the work site bearing dire news. A bald man dressed in red robes trimmed in black suddenly appeared hovering over the center of Fort Thorn, right above the keep's stone roof.

The man identified himself as Lord Vardak and claimed the Bloodsworn Vale belonged to him. He warned the townspeople that if they hadn't abandoned the Fort in 5 days, he would destroy it. After that he vanished, and a tiny seed of flame appeared in his place, floating above the fort, pulsing lightly.

One of the guards atop the eastern watchtower noted a flame drake flying east shortly afterward and reported it to Sir Tolgrith.

Since the heroes were not present for this ultimatum, a messenger was sent out immediately. Sir Tolgrith had heard of seeds of fire before, as a fable concerning the might of the empire of Cheliax, and had a basic understanding of what they could do. Although shocked that such an item still existed, he did not doubt its power. He also knew that the only way to stop it was to find the magical gem that controlled the seed of fire and destroy it. After all the work the people of Fort Thorn had put into claiming this vale, he had no intention of retreating and ordered the heroes to find Lord Vardak and stop his maniacal plan. It is vital that the heroes do this within five days, or the fort will be destroyed. In any case, he intended to evacuate the community on the fourth day just to be safe.

Oakbrow also arrived in town a few hours after the ultimatum since the heroes were on good terms with him. The hermit identified the man as the sorcerer who lived in the mountains and had already given a rough location of his fortress. Due to the severity of this threat, he was also willing to give each hero one of his potions to aid in their mission.

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