Turning away from matters in the Feywild, adventurers found that the attention of Daring Heights had become focused on establishing good relations with a nation encountered across the Sea of Tears—the republic of K’ul Goran. This was a country of Minotaurs and Air Genasi, as well as a curious mix of the two known colloquially as Aerotaurs.

An ambassador was hired to represent the Dawnlands, a half-elf called Girelle Veluss, whose initial purposes were more about negotiating trade deals but quickly developed into a full formal ambassadorship. In order to show off the wealth of adventuring talent that the Dawnlands could provide, he quickly set out to hire parties to help K’ul Goran with a number of problems they were having. Much of this involved supplementing the Errant Guard—the K’ul Goran equivalent of adventurers, though more tied to the military.

K’ul Goran was the largest civilisation thus far met—multiple cities and a well-structured society. It had two quirks though —wind howled everywhere due to a thin barrier with the Plane of Air, and blood dropped on the ground immediately vanished into the dirt. ‘Pray that the Ground isn’t Thirsty’ was a common warning.

Meanwhile, the investigation of three menhirs not far from the village of New Hillborrow led to the discovery of signs of ancient yuan-ti civilisation unknown to the new habitants of the Dawnlands. By activating these stones a group of adventurers were teleported to an ancient temple under the volcanic island off the coast of Port Ffirst. Other ruins were subsequently discovered at various locations.

The fragments of books, items, and temple iconography found by adventurers while exploring these ruins allowed two renowned scholars Ernetta Jund and Oriloki (a PC) to piece together hints of an ancient yuan-ti nation—the Province of the Cobra—spanning over the contemporary Dawnlands and beyond the Sunset Spine into the desert.

This civilisation developed unique philosophical and religious beliefs. Their old god Mershhaulk became seen as a messenger testing its followers by seemingly asking for violence and sacrifices only to see if they are instead ready to end the circle of worship and ascend to a higher state of being. These beliefs offended the powerful yuan-ti empire in the lands now known as Chult and war was waged against the heretics.

To avoid total annihilation the Tribe of the Cobra struck a pact with Glasya to finalise a spell able to hide and preserve the survivors until on day they will finally be free to ascend. With the spell ready, however, the clergy decided not to pay the heavy price in souls required by Glasya. They instead hid from their enemies and called on Mershhaulk to use much of his remaining strength to temporarily banish Glasya and her minions from Kantas.

Almost a millennium later the actions of Mundungus Keyhorn and the cult of the Lady unwittingly offered Glasya a way back into the lands she had been banished from. Glasya sent one of her lieutenants to exact revenge as the hidden Yuan-ti woke up from their magic-induced stasis thanks to a last cry from their old protector Mershhaulk.

Unknown to most, a cat-and-mouse game started in the Dawnlands between Te’zeer, lieutenant of Glasya, and the last of the tribe of the Cobra. Adventurers also got involved and various battle were fought as devils prowled the ancient yuan-ti sites and the scattered few survivors started a desperate march into the desert looking for the Forbidden City where they believe their destiny will be met.

As these events were unfolding, on the other side of the sea it became apparent that the sprawling nation of K’ul Goran was having trouble with giants on their eastern borders, and these conflicts shortly erupted into full-scale warfare. Suddenly, the missions adventurers were getting hired for were part of a massive military strategy, sabotaging giants’ supplies and military production.

The war was devastating for K’ul Goran. The forts on their Eastern border were demolished and a few weeks later the giants laid siege to the easternmost city of Jarvenol, and promptly entered and sacked the city. Other forces came into play—a group of reclusive elves called the Gotresham from the north appeared to be joining in the chaos as their own side, fighting giant and minotaur alike; and from underground to the south erupted the Shunned, a conglomeration of goblinoid and other monstrous races who had grievances against the K’ul Goran people.

The reason for the giant invasion was still a mystery though, and their tactics were proving oddly cunning. The Storm Giant leading them was discovered to be some form of illusion and when a fiend was discovered deceiving a Djinn Senator in the capital city into delaying the military’s responses, it became clear that some other force was manipulating events.

Ultimately, the war came to a head with a country-wide assault by hordes of giantfolk from Ogres to Cloud Giants. Adventurers, now fast allies of the local forces, fought against this invasion in multiple different locations, including at the capital city of Zot Goran where Cloud Giants bent the weather into a ferocious blizzard. The real leader of the giants (another Storm Giant) was found in a pocket dimension and freed, just as the false leader (an illusion created by an Arcanaloth named Mogtron) was dispelled and Mogtron defeated.

The true leader called off the assault and the various giant forces began to retreat. The damage had already been done however. The blood spilled on the battlefields across the country all drained into the ground and activated some kind of ancient ritual, and a blazing runic circle appeared, circumscribing most of the country. It faded quickly, and nothing immediately happened as a result, but it was clear—something terrible had just happened, and adventurers were forced to reflect on Mogtron’s final words: “We’ve already won.”

Summary:

• The relationship between Daring Heights and K’ul Goran deepened greatly and adventurers encountered much of their society and culture.

• The Errant Guard in particular, as adventurer-like warriors, became friends of many.

• Giants invaded the country and war broke out. This was discovered to have been provoked by fiends.

• K’ul Goran survived the invasion and won but the blood from the conflict fueled some mysterious ritual that caused a huge flaming runic circle to appear.

Next: Season 6: Ascent From Avernus