Castle Ehlenestra gets its name from an Old Elvish variant of the name of the goddess Ehlonna. It marks the western boundary of the Razing Line. The castle’s construction is unusual, with a stone wall surrounding internal buildings made of fine Vesve wood. What makes this castle most remarkable, however, is its highly magical nature. Lady Sharnalem, a swanmay Knight of the Hart who possess the innate ability to control canines, rules the castle. Within a magically protected wood, filled with powerful illusion spells to fool the unwary, numerous faerie creatures such as brownies and dryads can be found. Many of these creatures act as spies and messengers. By night, large packs of canines wander within the castle walls including Tyrgs and Mist wolves. The tyrgs are famous throughout the land and are specially trained to hunt and attack orcs and goblinkind on sight. Sharnalem is known to have many friends among the Highfolk. While she is a shy and elusive woman, her gifts of tyrgs to Kalinstren have earned his gratitude. The castle serves as a valuable recruiting post and many who are friendly with the Highfolk can be found here seeking refuge or searching for guidance. Clerics of Corellon and Ehlonna are often found here, serving as advisors to Sharnalem.

“What a stroke of luck!,” presumed the ½ elven priest…. “The solace of elven architecture, with the opportunity to convey tales of St. Cuthbert to the faithful of Ehlonna and Corellon!”

The road, like any patrol in a disputed region, was arduous and had its challenges both in terrain and orcish miscreants hoping to ambush a patrol. After two days, they had arrived greeted by the Woodlanders of the Vesve and the potential new support troops they settled in for a respite.

It was on one such eve as they traded tales of battles and belief, he told the tale he had learned of St Cuthbert and Bobby…. His fellows were so impressed with the telling they repeated it to others within the compound and by a thrice day it had caught the ear of some of the more learned scholars, diviners and archaists encamped there. It was then he was summoned by his patrol commander to “tell the telling of said tale” to their host as was requested. Astonished, he replied,” I am no bard that I could tell such a worthy tale to such an audience, I am but a foot soldier easing the time with my comradery of troops.” But his commander would not be deterred. 

And so, did he enter into the great wooden hall, where the silence seemed to amplify each of his footfalls of his approach. Bowing as is only proper, clearing his throat in search of some latent moisture to ease what would certainly follow, the cracking of his voice, he started… Sort of….

“I, regrettably, am not nearly so qualified to do the justice of this tale in the manner when it was told unto me, but it is a tale worth telling…. Tragedy & the Grey Friar.”

Two more passing days of Pelors’ light and their visit was over and it was time to return to Redoubt with the troops and news they had gathered. Just as the mounted for depart, a maiden in the raiment’s of ehlonna approached him and handed him a small intricately carved rosewood box.

Puzzled, as to never having seen the woman before, his expression must have conveyed his thought. “What is this and why are you giving it to me?”

“At the request of my lady, and your host - for your journey”. The woman coolly responded. “All will be made clear when you depart, open it not till then, and Saesa omentien lle (a pleasure to meet you).

As they rode away from the walled serenity of their hose, the harsher world was still out there to greet them… yet the ride to the gate seem to have eyes upon them as well. This left our ½ elven cleric cautious. This was soon disrupted by jeer and innuendo of his human peers as to what he did to get a parting gift from a local maid. A mile or so down the beaten road, he glanced thru the box.

Within the box he found a parchment note in a bountiful script that was a wonder to all his senses. The scrolling of the letters, perfection to his eyes, the touch of the paper, like silk, even a scent of lilac and cherry tantalized his remaining senses. Glancing through the flow of the letters it was a note from their host! He felt distracted wanting to pay it the attentions due, but his movement on the steed and the patrol of the road divided his concentrations. The note would certainly warrant individual attentions, but later. He had surmised she had enjoyed his tale and conveyed to him three small gifts of appreciation. Beneath the note, there nestled in blackest velvet where three carvings of small dogs, BOBBYs he thought. But how, why?

Later that evening, he examined the gift more fully. Her note conveyed her enjoyment and hoped these in turn would give him a gift of enjoyment at the telling of it.

As the sergeant plopped down beside him with a warm cup of brew, “so new girl in your life I hear…. Hehehe”. Glancing at the note and the fine box in his lap… “gifts too, someone made a good impression.”

“Not from her,” the ½ elf declared. “It’s from our host. She thanked me for the Tall of Bobby and gave me three small dog carvings to convey her gratitude.” Why would she give me a gift of three dogs, I am not but a visiting soldier?”

Laughing, the Sargent said,” She’s the hound-mistress lad! No one appreciates a tale about a hound better that she!” Closing the box, he left one of the “bobbys” out, insuring a restful sleep for all.

***

Are generally created in a set of three, but after creation some pieces could be lost (the most coveted being the black onyx), so it is quite possible to discover one or two, but the full potential is only realized with a full set consisting of: one of brass (20gp crafted value), one of silver (50gp Crafted value), one of black onyx (150gp Crafted value). All must be created by a master gem cutter or metalsmith.

Unlike other wondrous items, placing them in a location and saying the command word activates the effect of the bobby defined by its color, but does not transform him. Only with a complete set are the three transformed into one “living bobby” for a duration of 24 hrs in a week, but the duration need not be continuous. Individually, each item can use its command function 1 time per day.

The Brass Bobby- Aura of Bless; as bless spell, duration is for length spell if used separately or length of activation if used as a set.

The Silver Bobby- Hear Noise; Adds either a +2 synergy to listen Check or figurine uses owners listen check +5 if it is detecting, and then raises non audible or audible alarm (See Alarm Spell) to owner in the form of a bark, Endure Elements (duration of either spell is for length spell if used separately or length of activation if used as a set.)

The Onyx Bobby- Conveys a Good Night's Rest to all within 30’ radius of the figurine. Good Nights Rest is as if the occupants of the area of effect have had a full night’s bed rest. Restoring hit points (8 +1 per lvl of Owner) similar to if he had 24 hours attended bed rest or 2 points of lost ability score. Note Occupant must still get 8 hours’ rest within the radius of a good night’s rest for this form of “restoration” (duration is for length spell if used separately or length of activation if used as a set).

Further, if combined and activated as a set, the set effectively negates the chance of a random dangerous encounter while sleeping.

Moderate transmutation; CL 11th; Craft Wondrous Item, Animate Objects, Cure Light Wounds- Mass, Hear Noise, Aura of Bless, Endure elements; Price 21,000 gp.

Tragedy and The Grey Friar