The Wrecking Crew, a special last chance arm of the Solution Society, is about to take on the first task in a one year long probation.
Can they survive, let alone succeed? | Journal where details of the setting can be learned |
Ayita charges the pair, who appear to be frozen in disbelief. With one hand she slams the man in the face with a palm strike, and then stabs the elven girl in the belly, just as she is simultaneously stuck by a javelin thrown from somewhere behind Ayita. The man drops the bowl as his hands fly up to his face, and blood pours from his nose, while the woman falls backward with a gasp, and she lands on her back, still and motionless.
Klood snarls a warning to the elven man, while Niall readies a eldritch blast, but seeing the crossbow armed girl is already down, he waits a moment.
The clatter of the food bowl as it falls on the wooden floor and the thud of the elven girl echo through the upstairs bouncing off the vaulted ceiling with dull reverberations.
Victor looks left and right at the door, and he doesn’t see anything immediately.
The elven man with his hands on his nose drops to his knees and throws his arms up, letting the blood flow down his face, his eyes wide with fear.
And then three more bandits appear at the opposite corner of the upstairs balcony. All of them are elven males. Two are in the front, and they are armed with loaded crossbows aimed in your direction, and the third is behind the first two. He carries a wand in his hand.
Bandit Initiative:1d20 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 = 12
DM Notes:
Bandit, elf, AC 11 (no armor, +1 Dex) | hp 8 (HD 2d8) | Lt. xBow +3, d8, short sword, +3, d6 |Bandit leader, AC 13, (+3 Dex) | hp 9 (level 2 sorcerer, +2 con), Wand of Sleep
Male Vangar/Human Cleric 2 | AC 18 | HP 17/17 | Standard vision | PP=12 | S +4 D +2 C +2 I +0 W +4 Ch +3
Terquem wrote:
Magnus is first, and as soon as he clears the door, and looks north, he is surprised to see two elves standing fifteen feet in front of him.
They are males, and look to be young (perhaps in their twenties). One of them carries a wooden bowl with pieces of cheese, dried fruit, and a few turnips, and the other carries a crossbow, held down at his side, unloaded.
Did one of the elf males transition into a female? Magnus would not have attacked the pretty elf woman the prisoner had a crush on. At a minimum, he would have struck to KO instead of striking to kill (an option that carries no penalty to hit under the 5E rules.)
Seeing the newcomers, Magnus draws another javelin and launches it at the bandit carrying the wand.
When the other bandits suddenly appear, there is a brief moment of quiet, a moment that seems almost frozen in time, and then everything begins to happen in a chaotic blur.
Initiative Order:
Magnus - 21
Victor – 17
Bandits – 12
Klodd – 10
Lijan - 10
Ayita – 9
Perry – 9
Niall – 5
Magnus hurls a javelin across the room and it strikes the wall immediately next to the bandit bringing up the rear
Victor takes stock of the situation as the bandits raise their crossbows and fire, and he launces his own arrow at the Bandit Leader
The arrow strikes the leader, but does not take him down
A bolt sails passed Ayita, but a second missile strikes Valarie in the upper left arm
As this is happening the Bandit holding the wand, raises it slowly, and speaks a few words that you cannot hear. As you watch his mouth move a strange feeling overcomes some of you
Sleep?:5d8 ⇒ (2, 6, 5, 7, 1) = 21
Suddenly Ayita and Niall fall to their knees, and then roll onto their sides, fast asleep.
Seeing this obviously dangerous magic wand at work, Klodd fires his crossbow at the wand wielder.
The bolt strikes the elf in the shoulder, and he topples backward dropping the wand to the floor
Female Iarishean/Wood Elf Monk 2 | AC 15 | HP 15/15 | Darkvision 60 ft. | PP 14 | S +3, D +5, C +1, I -1, W +2, C +0 | Insp: [ ]
Ayita was hoping some of the elves would move up but takes what she can get. She attacks the elf next to her, dealing nonlethal if the damage would down him.
She then moves up to space -B4 and ducks down for partial cover (if that's a thing).
Also remember Ayita had us elves disguised as humans for just this situation. I don't think it matters for this round because the wizard targeted all of us, but it might for future rounds.
Histoff rushes to attack the nearest enemy with his rapier in a very fast and inaccurate piercing attacks.
Attack roll:1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8 Damage roll:1d8 ⇒ 6
Reading the Sleep spell description... There is nothing in there about waking up if you're hurt or shaken awake etc?
Niall chants, laying a curse on one of the remaining bandits across the balcony then twisting his hands he sends green crackling energy at the elf.
Bonus Action: Hex, the bandit is cursed and takes disadvantage on strength ability checks and takes 1d6 extra necrotic damage when hit by my attacks. There doesn't appear to be a roll to do this?
Everything is happening so quickly. Victor and Klodd bring down the elf wielding the wand, while Ayita knocks unconscious the elven man on his knees holding onto his face in front of her, and then rushes forward trying to take advantage of the cover the banister provides, which isn’t much.
Histoff runs toward the attacking elves at the other side of the hallway, and by the time he reaches them he is surprised to see them throwing down their weapons.
Klodd and Niall raise their hands and begin conjuring power energies that crackle in the air, and the bandits throw themselves down on the ground with their hands over their heads.
You have defeated the bandits. Their leader is dying, one bandit is dead. One is unconscious from Ayita’s attacks. Two others, one of which is female, lie on the ground and have surrendered. The discussion thread has experience rewards.
Damage Tracker:
Round 1
Valarie – takes 3 damage
Magnus – sleep
Perry – sleep
Bandit Leader – Takes 5 damage (4)
Bandit Leader – takes 7 damage (-3) - dying
First Bandit – dead
Second Bandit – prone, holding his face
Day 2, morning, about 11:00 am: It is the middle of the spring
Victor nudges Magnus with a foot, and slowly the big man comes around. As he wakes from the magical slumber, Magnus lets out a huge yawn and then springs to his feet grabbing the hand rail of the second floor balcony.
Histoff and Ayita keep their weapons aimed at the surrendering bandits, while Klodd moves toward them cautiously, keeping his eyes all the time on the elven man lying on the floor, the dangerous wand now just inches away from his outstretched hand. A pool of blood is forming slowly below the elf’s body.
Niall rouses Perry from the magical sleep he is under, and soon the whole party, with Valarie and the rescued merchant, Avell Gasperi, keeping a good distance behind, round up the surviving bandits, and march them into the room where Avell had been held captive, putting the two elven men, and one elven woman all on the bed and binding them securely and then they drag the bodies of the other two elven men, including the one who must be their leader, into the room to be searched. The leader was carrying the wand, and nothing else, while the rest of the bandits all had simple weapons, and three light crossbows, with 24 crossbow bolts between them.
A quick look into the next rooms and two more prisoners are discovered bound and tied to old beds. One is an acquaintance of Avell’s, his name is Jado Casserva, a young man who works for Avell’s parents. He delivered the ransom that his family paid, but the bandits took him prisoner and sent a note demanding more.
The other is an elven girl, only barely nineteen years old. She tells you she is from Pawkatukit, and that her family is nothing more than simple farmers, but the bandits mistook her for a noble elven woman and sent a ransom to Seaport for her. The girl cried and pleaded with them trying to explain that they were mistaken, but they would not listen. She claims her name is Ballamy L’Ores, and that the bandits kept telling her that she was really some elven woman named, Kasamy G’elent.
You have defeated all the dangerous threats of the castle, but there are many clues left to be discovered. Rather than spend time exploring empty rooms where these clues can be found I thought I would sum them all up, including all the treasure you recover (the valuables taken by the bandits). After a boring afternoon exploring the rest of the castle, you can spend the evening making the captured bandits dig graves, outside the castle grounds, for the killed bandits, and put together a report of your findings to deliver to headquarters. Valarie will remain at the castle, but Avell, Ballamy, and Kasamy will travel with you, tomorrow, back to Pawkatukit. Once you have reported your findings, a scroll will be provided that will allow an Arcane spell caster to force open the Magical Wizard Locked door and you can then explore the next part of the castle. We will use the discussion thread to work out treasure, and any items you might want to try to purchase in Pawkatukit. In Pawkatukit, Victor and Niall will agree to escort Avell and Balamy back to Seaport, for a heafty fee, and then they will exit the game. Any questions?
Male Vangar/Human Cleric 2 | AC 18 | HP 17/17 | Standard vision | PP=12 | S +4 D +2 C +2 I +0 W +4 Ch +3
"Safe travels, Victor and Niall," Magnus says as the pair bid farewell. "When the Crow God gazes upon you, let it be while you walk among the corpses on the battlefield, rather than lying among them."
Female Iarishean/Wood Elf Monk 2 | AC 15 | HP 15/15 | Darkvision 60 ft. | PP 14 | S +3, D +5, C +1, I -1, W +2, C +0 | Insp: [ ]
"We should report back to the Solution Society while we are out. They'll be looking for an update."
"Where can we bring these bandits so that they'll face justice? They are guilty of many crimes and I want to make sure they pay for disgracing then elven name."
"And I'd like to find out more about Avell, Jado, and Ballamy. Who are they really? Especially this Ballamy. Why did they think she was Kasamy? We should inquire about both names."
"But we also shouldn't stay away from the castle too long either. We don't want the goblins moving back in again until some kind of guard can be set up to prevent such an occurrence."
Day 3, evening, about 8:00 pm: It is the middle of the spring
Having returned to Pawkatukit, the Wrecking Crew delivers the captured bandits to the local representative of the Duke, a man by the name of Sanford. He is the sheriff. He takes the complaint of the crew, particularly Ayita’s, and locks the elves in the local jail, a small wooden building on the northwest side of Chapel Hill.
Avell and Jado secure a room in a local inn, and within a few hours word is spreading through the town that a man of wealth, from seaport, is here, and some people begin to hear that it is Avell. He is known to some merchants in the town, and the news that he has been rescued seems to bring relief to many.
The young woman, Ballamy, left the party as soon as they were on the eastern outskirts of the town, claiming she was not far from her home, and pointed to a farmstead to the north of the road.
Curious about this elven woman, Ayita asks around about the L’Ores family, and leans quickly that they are a large elven family, living well but mostly keeping to themselves. When Ayita mentions the girl Ballamy, people in Pawkatukit smile and sigh, saying they have seen her around, she is known to be one of the kindest of her family, beautiful of face as well as spirit.
Victor and Niall have a late night meeting with Avell, while the others report to the Hall of the Solution Society to make a report of the progress made so far. Branhilde and Mister Nickels seem happy with the report, and provide a simple wand with the ability to cast a spell that should suppress magic locks for a short time, and encourage the group to get some rest and take one day to heal any sores or minor injuries, resupply, and get back to the castle.
Pawkatukit, Harrispania
Day 5, morning, about 8:00 am: It is the middle of the spring
Ayita, Klodd, Magnus, Perry, and Lijan meet at the east end of town, at the crossroads of River Street and High End Road, at the Little Goose Tavern. The tavern is not yet open, but it is an easy to find landmark, so it was the place decided upon where all would meet on the morning of the fifth day of this assignment.
Castle Caldwell is a few miles away, and the northwest tower mystery is waiting.
Male Vangar/Human Cleric 2 | AC 18 | HP 17/17 | Standard vision | PP=12 | S +4 D +2 C +2 I +0 W +4 Ch +3
"Lonely? I suppose. Certainly, the odds of someone dying have increased," Magnus days, shrugging off the thought as if if bothers him little. "Have you all made peace with your soft local gods? Good then, let us be off.
Day 5, morning, about 8:00 am: It is the middle of the spring
It is a short march eastward along the river for Ayita, Magns, Perry, Lijan, and Klodd and well before noon they are crossing the covered bridge and turning back to the west toward Castle Caldwell.
A short time later the group approaches the castle, and Magnus sees a murder of crows sitting on the top of the wall above the goblin corpses that still hang there.
The castle grounds seem less foreboding than before, and the gentle splash of water can be heard coming from the fountain in the center of the castle courtyard.
Will you go directly to the Northwest tower, head for the temple in the northeast and check on Valarie, or is there something else you would like to do?
Male Vangar/Human Cleric 2 | AC 18 | HP 17/17 | Standard vision | PP=12 | S +4 D +2 C +2 I +0 W +4 Ch +3
"Ah, we have done good work here -- the god's servants continue to feast," Magnus says, gesturing approvingly toward the crows picking over the goblin corpses. "It is an auspicious sign for our continued quest. May our blades find more food for these watchers before it is done."
Gesturing toward the northeast, he continues:
"Perhaps we should check on the priestess, to seek news of any occurrences while we were gone? She might want to accompany us, as well, considering our diminished numbers."
Day 5, morning, about 10:30 am: It is the middle of the spring
Eyeing the northwest tower suspiciously, the group hurries through the courtyard toward the northeast tower, and the small temple.
The door to the small room in the corner of the castle courtyard wall stands open. As soon as you enter, you can tell the priestess is not here, the room is empty, but on the small table near the altar at the far wall of the room you find a bowl, with a spoon still in it, and it is covered with ants, and what looks like an unfinished meal of cooked carrots and oats. The bowl does not smell.
While the others are standing around, you look closely at each item in the room, and come to the conclusion that a struggle did not happen here, and that it appears as though if Valarie was here recently, she left without finishing a meal and has not returned
Male Vangar/Human Cleric 2 | AC 18 | HP 17/17 | Standard vision | PP=12 | S +4 D +2 C +2 I +0 W +4 Ch +3
"Aye, whether or not violence was involved, her departure was unplanned. Let's have a look around the place on our way to the northwest tower. Perhaps we can read something of her fate in the crow-sign."
I’m not saying you have to close the doors today, Branhilde the Man in the blue uniform was saying as he walk along the garden path near the center of the courtyard at the Chapel Hill Lodge. But the Investigator-general at Terringwell was specific and clear, your branch is underperforming
But sir, please, you’ve got to give us a little more time. We have a team right now that is very close to clearing out Castle Caldwell for a wealthy benefactor. Just a few days is all I need. There a good team, trust me. Branhilde pleaded.
That’s not what I hear, the man said as he drew a parchment from his waist pocket.
Gilbert Dolmar was an Alodoan Nobel, by birth, and a high ranking officer of the Solution Society by choice. Not an imposing man, he was slight of build, but not thin, and he was not tall. He had a boyish charm, and a friendly disposition. He was known throughout Harrispania for his diplomatic skills, and he was known in the Solution Society as “the demolisher,” because when he visited your Lodge, after he left, there was nothing left.
Mister Dolmar, may I have a moment of your time? It was Tylldnilly Nickels, the gnome trainer of the White Chapel Lodge. He was with Sheriff Marweather, and four others.
I’m extraordinarily busy, Dolmar sneered, as he return the paper to his pocket without unfolding it.
Alright then, I’ll be brief, Nickels said. I can see that you want results and you want them now. I have a lead on the Skarda’s Mirror case. It points to Castle Caldwell. Now, don’t hold anything against Branhilde, she doesn’t know anything about it, or I’m sure she would have told you immediately. I only heard the information myself this morning, right after our team left for the Castle. I’m sending this team, the four of them are,
Wylla Spingle
Ishaiah La Fontain
Grinling Durandal
And Wolfgang von Goethe
They’re our best team, five years the field. I’ve briefed them on the situation and they are leaving immediately. If my information is correct, we may have the mirror in the next three days.
Dolmar’s eyes grew large. He didn’t usually loose his composure. Are you certain about this, Nickels
Absolutely, sir Nickels responded with a salute. Now, of course if you want us to begin shutting down the Lodge, I’ll send these people home.
No, no, absolutely not. Um, well, Branhilde, let me be clear the report in my pocket is direct, but, I, um, I can take another few days getting familiar with the town, and seeing the local sights. We’ll talk again in three days, yes three days. Good afternoon and good day. If you need me, I’ll be staying at the Red Plum Inn.
Domar strode quickly away from the garden.
It was immediately obvious to Branhilde that Dolmar intended to find a way to send a report to Seaport as quickly as possible. The Solution Societly wasn’t going to leave something like Skarda’s Mirror to her humble Lodge, why in two days’ time she fully expected to be overrun by the Societies best agents.
What the hell was that all about, Branhilde cried when she knew Dolmar was well out of earshot. Skarda? Skarda’s Mirror? Are you out of your mind. Do you know what that is going to mean for this lodge. Why would you make something like that up? And why would you bring a bunch of recruits in here and tell Dolmar they are seasoned field team? And why is the Sheriff with you? What the hell is going on here?
Alright, Bran, just remember to breathe. Nickels said to the dwarven woman as he patted her on the shoulder. First, I’m not making it up, the lead is real. Second, I’m buying us time. I don’t give a rat’s ass about the future of the lodge at this point. There is a real, a very real danger on our doorstep if the mirror is there after all. I needed good people, and I found them, the Sheriff just happened to meet me on the street a little while ago and asked me why I was recruiting. She told me she picked up a fellow on the street who needed a job, and I said I’d take him, the rest of these folks are strangers to me, sure, but I’ve checked out their skills and right now they are the best I could find.
Nickels turns to the four heroes and folds his arms
Look, there isn’t enough time to spell it all out. There is a team of the Solution Society, six miles east of here, at Castle Caldwell and I believe they are walking into a trap. This Skarda’s Mirror you’ve heard me mention, well, we don’t know much about, but we know it is not something that can be left lying around unguarded. I’m paying the four of you one thousand alars, each, if you can get to Castle Caldwell today and warn the other team about the danger. I’m not sure where to find them, but they should be somewhere in the castle. Tell them that there is something dangerous there. Tell them that Caldwell was holding out on us, and then get out of there. Under no circumstance are you to go looking for the mirror. Trust me, you can’t handle it. Get those others back here, and I promise all of you that after we are shut down I’ll do everything I can to get you hired on in another lodge.
Nickels has given the four new characters an assignment, travel to Castle Caldwell and tell the other team, the Wreaking Crew, that they are in over their heads. The four new characters do not know anything about the Castle, nor do they have any specific knowledge of this Skarda’s Mirror, however, an Intelligence Ability check, DC18, will allow your character to at least know of one legend associated with the Mirror. Wolfgang will be given a special PM due to one of his traits.
The four new adventurers travel east on the road, and arrive at Castle Caldwell just as Klodd,Magnus, and Ayita are finishing up at the small temple in the Castle Courtyard wall, and are crossing the courtyard headed toward the Northwest tower.
Ayita, Klodd and Magnus are crossing the courtyard on their way toward the northwest tower, when four strangers come walking in through the opening between the two castle wall towers to the south.
They are a gnomish female, a not entirely uncommon sight in Harrispania, two human males, and a male half-elven looking chap. They are armed, and carry travelling gear, but it is difficult to tell if they are just weary travelers, or if they are here for a reason.
Male Half-Elf Bard 2 | Init +4 | AC 15 | HP 17/17 | Darkvision 60' | PP 14 | PI 14 | Str -2, Dex +5, Con +2, Int +2, Wis +2, Cha +6 | Advantage on Charms, Immune to Sleep
Int:1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4Mirror Mirror on the wall?
"We seem to be just in time lads." Isaiah says lifting am arm to wave at the other group.
