The Hollow Hills of Nicholas County (part 5)
Strategies Explained
Welcome to the eighteenth issue of Sketchy Scoops! Your number one source for the most spurious content on the internet.
This is part of a story arc. If you’ve missed the previous episodes, you can start from the beginning of this arc here:
Scoop Reports: The Hollow Hills of Nicholas County (continued)
“Lykos has asked me to document the past few days. Even now, we’re not sure if things will work out as we’d hoped so he felt it would be important to create a record that documented our actions and the motivations behind them.
It started three days ago when we arrived in the guerilla camp known as Brynstead. This was a secret base that had been setup next to the waters of the Tegwenrift below the village of Aberlyn.
There were some sixty odd soldiers bivouacked along the escarpments and within the rocky crevices of the cavern that had been carved out by the flow of the Tegwenrift river as it wore away rocks over the course of many years. All of their tents and dwellings had been covered by scree and various fungal blooms that are native to the area in an attempt to hide them from the prying eyes of the soldiers and citizens who remain loyal to the council.
Everyone knew that we would only get one real shot at this. If we failed, not only would we be subject to the council’s reprisals, but we would also lose whatever element of surprise that we currently enjoyed. The council and its minions were powerful and although it was unspoken every person at Brynstead understood that failure would mean death.
Naliya, an elderly but strong naga, welcomed us into the camp. The creature slithered deeper into the camp and was met by several dwarves, gnomes, a group of undines (which I was told were water nymphs), and several dozen ordinary looking salamanders that were led by a much larger variant of the species known as a Hellbender.
I leaned in and asked Lykos, “Why are there salamanders here?”
Lykos glanced at the small orange lizards as they scurried about fulfilling the orders of the larger, rock-colored Hellbender and said, “Salamanders and Hellbenders are well-known for their abilities to control fire.”
The Hellbender must have heard us talking because he stared at us during the entire exchange. For a moment, I almost believed that he could understand us and laughed at the very thought. Then, the Hellbender spoke: “Why’d you bring someone here who’s so daft he don’t know our most celebrated trait?” It’s gravelly voice was unnerving not only because of the quality of its timbre, but also seeing and hearing words come from the tiny creature. Intelligent words that showed a full comprehension of everything I’d said and hinted at the ability to infer things which I had not said.
I couldn’t help myself. “It can talk?!”
“Of course, I can speak, ya blighted idiot!”
“Scoop, I’d like you to meet Aranblaze. He is Emberlord to the Salamander contingent and oversees their involvement here. He and his people are invaluable to our struggles against the council. I ask that you treat him with the deference and respect he is due. And, Aranblaze, let’s give Scoop a break. He’s a topsider. All of this is new to him, but he too has a valuable role to play in the struggle ahead.”
The Hellbender spat. The place where the spittle landed sizzled and smoked for a moment. “Very well.” Then, he showed us his tail as he turned his back and resumed the work of commanding his subordinates.
“Aranblaze, before you go, can you update us on the reservoir? Will your cadre finish the work in time?”
The Hellbender cocked his head to the side as if he were trying to decide whether such a question merited an insult or not. After a moment, he said, “Aye. It’ll be done. Almost finished.”
“That’s excellent news. Thank you.” Whether Aranblaze heard the expression of gratitude or not was a mystery because the Hellbender had scurried away and disappeared into a crevice.
“The Salamanders,” Lykos began, “have been constructing an underground receptacle that we will use to store great quantities of the Tegwenrift. It’s the first step in our attack against the council.”
“But why? As best I can tell you won’t be able to cut off the council’s access to the water entirely. Why does any of it matter?”
“Because of the ley lines. They are natural formations that collect magical energy. A large ley line runs at the base of the Tegwenrift river. All of the ambient magic in these hills collects there. That magic imbues the water of this river with its power.
That power is what makes Aberlyn such a wonder. The elevators you’ve seen that raise produce, people, cattle from one level to the next are powered by both that magic and the natural flow of the river. The light sources, refrigeration, preservation, and a whole host of other wonders are all achieved by using the magic of these waters.
But, the council does more than use those waters to provide us with wonders that placate the population and help keep us docile. They use the water’s power to create economic dependency because farmers have come to rely on the mana-infused water to grow their crops. Especially here in the underground.” He gestured widely around us. “Mana is used to power the light sources that encourage growth as well. They have a stranglehold on this process because of their complete control of the import and export of that water to the levels above.
The council understands that the waters also have healing and life-extending properties. They can deny its use to anyone at any time for any reason. Several years ago, it was felt that Aberlyn had grown too populated. The council used that control to deny water to the elderly, the infirm, or others who were unwanted in some way. It led to the deaths of hundreds of people. At the time, I thought their actions would finally be enough to inspire revolt. However, after the death toll was high enough, the council relented, and the populace forgot.
Our most immediate concern though is that the council uses these waters to create powerful weapons that can be used against us. They have water-blessed blades that are all but unstoppable. If you see someone approaching you with a weapon that shimmers in the same way that these flowing waters do, run. You won’t be able to hide from that blade because it can cut through stone and steel both. You’re only safe option is distance.”
“And how will this reservoir put an end to that?”
“It won’t end things, but it will be a first step. It allows us to provide for our people once the council stops supply. It breaks their monopoly. It is my hope that once people understand that standing against the council will not cost them their farms, their health, or the many things we associate with life in Aberlyn that we can begin a real uprising and overthrow the council entirely. We have dozens of these large reservoirs all up and down this river. Each of them are hidden. The dwarves and gnomes are working together to design elaborate mechanisms that will draw water into these reservoirs in such a way that hides how it’s getting there. I don’t want the enemy to be able to simply trace the flow of the river and be led directly to each of our storehouses. Speaking of, we should check on their progress.”
We walked deeper into the camp. The farther we got from shore the more signs there were that this was a bustling hive of activity. Faint traces of already well-worn paths were starting to be established by the repeated passage of workmen and troops. Once I figured out how to spot the tents and makeshift structures, I saw them all around me. Voices could be heard talking in a variety of languages and accents. Needless to say the place was populated by a variety of creatures and individuals from every folk story I'd ever heard... and some that I hadn't heard of.
“The gnomes are back here,” Lykos started to say, but he was cut off by shouts and cries of alarm.
I looked to him for guidance. “There,” he shouted. I looked in the direction he was pointing and saw a crevice where the stones had broken apart. “Go hide in there.”
“But, what’s happening?”
“A sentry ship is approaching. We all have to get out of sight before we’re spotted.”
The two of us ran to the opening and hid ourselves within the layers of rock. “Do you think we made…”
My voice was cut off by a loud explosion. Even from within deep hole, I could feel the heat and the sound reverberated off the walls in a way that made me wonder if I’d lose all of my hearing.
“They’ve found us,” Lykos said. “Time to fight.”
A Note from the Editor
Next week will detail the battle to protect the camp and showcase the powerful forces levied against the resistance. I hope you’re enjoying these episodes and that you’ll share them with others. Thanks for reading