Agai was clearly furious and the handful of Spriggans that were left seemed to be riled up as well, sensing his tone.
My people and I had nothing to do with the disappearances of your friend or his. If that is not assurance enough, then we have nothing more to discuss. I, Agai, declare a vow of silence and I will deny you, villain! No more words shall pass my lips until my terms are met!
At least you have a backbone, even though you have ill intent. We will take your statement under discussion.
Malthir walks a few feet away with whomever wants to discuss their fate and talks quietly.
Well, what do the rest of you think? The creatures are evil natured cretins.
That in itself is no crime as I haved said before. I am OK allowing his request if it buys us some time.. Do we have any way of making sure what he is telling us is the truth? Do we even trust they will leave and not harry us again sometime in the future?
I think you should honor the terms of his surrender.
I am doubtful that this rag tag group, who couldn't even hold the fort against us, managed to dislodge Maegar and his men. It is also unlikely that they will prove to be further threat to us after losing so many of their number... and their leader. He has offered to face your judgement in exchange for his people.
Would you do any different? What would you think if the roles were reversed and your captor reneged on his word? Do you want to be that guy?
As for the discerning whether he is lying, I have both scrolls of zone of truth and detect thoughts available for use.
Ricter moves over to speak with Kip and Malthir. His visor meets Kip's gaze.
"By my recollection, Magister, the Baron made a counter-offer. He never agreed to the terms of surrender as initially offered. Hostilities are presently on hold - they have not formally ceased."
"You clearly have magic available that frees us of the need for the enemy's willing co-operation. I advise that we stand by the Baron's terms, and give the recommencement of hostilities as the alternative. If these creatures are indeed mere squatters they have nothing to fear from our justice. Indeed, they can look forward to prosperous lives under the rule of Kardas."
He looks to Malthir
"The Magister is right that we must have the enemy agree the terms of surrender before any questions are asked or answered."
"Kip is likely right that these Spriggans could not take the keep from Varn," Fenna comments, "but this does not preclude the possibility that they are a mere holding force left behind from some larger host."
"In any case, with their numbers broken and their commander in our custody, the rest should prove little trouble for quite some time."
Casimir leaves Kalev to stand guard over the captives, and steps away with the rest to discus how to proceed.
"All talk of judgment and terms of surrender aside, we need information about what has transpired here, and where Varn and his people have gone. If that means letting these sorry sods run free, then so be it. Magical interrogation is unreliable at best, and I would rather save those resources for another time."
He looks around the keep.
"Whatever we do, we had best secure this place properly. Who knows what else may be lurking around in the deserted houses. I say we find a suitable place to get all of the captives locked up under guard, and do a quick search of the keep. For all we know, there could be fifty more spriggans or who know what else roaming the streets."
It's settled then. We agree to his terms to get the information we need.
We will search the keep and grounds. We will then let his people go with just a few common weapons and then ask Agai the above questions plus whatever else he offers.
While the other lords have been discussing, Kalev, agreeing with Kip in this manner, have kept watch over the Spriggans.
Talking in a low voice to the Spriggan leader, Kalev instructs him to get his people ready to depart.
Prepare your men, but quietly. You asked for mercy for your men, and for my part, you shall have it. But know that if we find that you have slaughtered innocents here, I will track down all of your men. I am Kardas finest tracker, and I have the stamina and persistance of Erastil in me.
The stockade was won and the Spriggan's allowed to The Spriggan leader Agai became much more co-operative upon seeing his tribe leave the fort safely. The tribe gathered their women and children from one of the back rooms of the keep and left with their meagre belongings, with Kalev forcibly removing anything obviously stolen from Varnhold.
The next few days were spent interrogating Agai, taking inventory of the town, searching it for clues and mapping the area immediately surrounding the town. A feral Boar was found and slain within the village and a swarm of particularly vicious crows was dispatched with Kip's magic. The granary was found to contain several swarms of rats and the grain inside ruined. The rats were slain and scattered by the Guardians.
The spiked pit traps left by the Spriggans were quite a nuisance, but the Guardians eventually found and eliminated each of them.
The ever-vigilant Ricter began to notice something strange as the days passed by, however. A single Raven seemed to be continually making passes over the town, never coming to within one hundred feet but always seeming to take a good look at whatever was going on before flying away to the south. This happened on each of the three days...
Why did you come here?
The Maven of the Green came to me in a dream just over a week ago, and said that this place was ripe for settling. I had led a splinter movement from the main Culchek tribe, far to the north-east. We were seeking a new home to fortify and call our own.
Did you have anything to do with the people in the town missing?
Absolutely nothing. Maybe the Maven did it.
What do you know about them going missing?
Nothing.
Do you have anything you took from the town?
Agai reluctantly gave up the tribe's ill-gotten gains.
What happened to your person in the house who seems frozen?
He read a bad book. The evil words he read reared up like a horse and struck him. Then he froze. We tried to snap him out of it by hitting him with a hammer. I think we killed him. It was a bad place. Haunted.
#1- Fifteen barrels of Cheerful Delver Stoud; an earthy, dark beer that is a local delicacy. Each barrel is worth around 7 gold pieces, totalling at- 105GP. This was the property of Varnhold's citizens and should they be found, they are likely to want it to be returned.
#2- Behind a hidden door found in the Potter's home and nestled in a cushioning bed of straw is an elegant set of flagons and platters, hand crafted and chased in platinum. Worth- 300GP. This was the property of Varnhold's citizens and should they be found, they are likely to want it to be returned.
#3- Inside the same looted home with the journal within, a Folding Boat was discovered, easily missed as in its inactive form it is merely a wooden box. Worth- 1,800GP.
#4- Ten magical scrolls found in emergency storage in the Church of Erastil by Kalev-
Cure Serious Wounds x3
Remove Paralysis x3
Restoration
Break Enchantment
Breath of Life
Raise Dead
#5- The inn's till contained- 37 gp, 52 sp, and 114 cp. This was the property of Varnhold's citizens and should they be found, they are likely to want it to be returned.
#6- Maester Pendrod's collection of books (found inside the Inn) would be worth 900GP to the right buyer, but it is likely that they might question how the Guardians came by books that bear the professor’s own sigil as well as that of the Kitharodian Academy on the inside cover. Its possible the Academy itself might pay for their return and may be keen to discover what happened to him.
#7- The viola found in Maester Pendrod's room is exquisite and is worth- 1,600GP although again, the ownership is obvious and the Academy may wish it returned.
#8- The master-work weapons confiscated by the Spriggans consisted of 12 small halberds and crossbows; worth a total of 3,960GP.
#9- The rank and file Spriggans between them had stolen 310 gold pieces worth of coin, goods and gems. This was the property of Varnhold's citizens and should they be found, they are likely to want it to be returned.
#10- In the well room of the stockade, an underwater tunnel was found at the bottom that led to the nearby ford; an escape route. Four potions of Water Breathing were stashed here.
#11- The armoury seemed to have already been either depleted or looted. The only item of worth was found inside a hidden compartment and inside a locked strongbox; a mace bearing magical enchantment.
#12- Agai's gear appeared to be Fey in design, with intricate patterns and designs. It consisted of a magical, mithril breastplate, a magical greatclub and a magical heavy crossbow and an enchanted bag .
#13- Agai had claimed the best loot in the town and stockade for himself. It consisted of 6,000GP in coins and jewellery, a small payroll coffer containing 500GP, a wand of Spectral Hand with 17 charges, a ring of Friend Shield (useless without its pair however), and two exquisite weapons.
The first was familiar- Maegar Varn's own Aldori Duelling Sword. Heavily enchanted, bearing the symbols of House Varn on its ruby-encrusted hilt and intricately hand crafted by one of the finest smith's in Brevoy, it was one of the finest weapons the Guardians had seen.
The second was a darkwood and ivory composite longbow, powerfully enchanted. Kalev identified it as Centaur in make and had designs matching well-known Ioborian tribes such as the Nomen. Kalev was fairly confident that the bow was ancient, preserved by magic and sacred to such tribes.
#1- Inside a thoroughly looted home is a book torn in half at the spine. Reuniting both halves, the book looks to be a journal. Between the group's limited grasp of Linguistics, they are able to at least ascertain that the handwriting is in Skald; the language of the northmen. On one page, a single rune of some kind is inscribed in charcoal; it looks like a letter.
#2- The word NOMEN, hastily scrawled upon the door of the inn, the town's largest structure.
#3- Inside said structure, the group had found books and notes that could be construed as a clue...
Of particular interest was an incomplete ethnography of the indigenous tribes of the Iobarian steppes; recent notations on the parchment speculate that the local tribe of centaurs known as the Nomen are an off-shoot of the greater Rashalka population, that broke away and relocated to the Stolen Lands some time in the distant past. Scattered amongst the books are charcoal sketches of a heavy jade bracelet bearing peculiar markings; whoever was doing this research seemed to be under the impression that this bracelet was attributed to the pre-migration Nomen centaurs.At the bottom of the stack of papers, sat a letter dated some two months ago; from Maegar Varn and addressed to Professor Ervil Pendrod. The letter described a strange bracelet found by one of Varn's men, a certain Willas Gunderson, a self-titled treasure hunter. Apparently, Willas discovered the bracelet on "a river of local provenance" and Varn had requested the Professor's expertise, expecting that he would be interested in further study of it.
A search of the guest rooms of the Inn reveals that only one of them was in use before whatever happened to Varnhold, happened. The group found some personal effects and items of clothing that are neatly labelled Ervil Pendrod in the unlooted upstairs section of the inn. Among the mundane possessions is a small library of further tomes. Cross-referencing them against the works found at the desk downstairs found one match in theme; a centuries old geography book created by one Carmyn e'Brothasa, chronicler of Taldor's Third Army of Exploration into the north. One passage is distinctly marked in a well-thumbed section-
"And so it was, high upon the Torres and well above the Vale's stairs, where rises from the high water a stony island of dire report. Known as Vordakai's island to those that do live thereabout, some legend of its name doth come down through the locals. For they speak of a guardian that doth destroy all who would set foot upon its accursed shores. They did name no fewer than a twelvecount of their hero-knights who had left their bones upon its rocky shores over the years after having tested their mettle against its dread warden, 'til none would any longer go there for fear of its hidden terrors. And the name of this terror was given unto this island..."
In the margin by this section of the book, a small handwritten script reads- "Vordakai- perhaps a Nomen centaur god?".
The collection of books, all included, is very valuable (although they are clearly marked as the property of the Kitharodian Academy of Oppara).
#4- Fenna found a half-starved cat in the Weaver's home. Speaking with him, he told her the following;
"My feeders left me in the red-sun time when they heard the new bird song. I was busy eating a bit of fish and did not follow them out. My feeders did not come back and I am now quite hungry for some more fish!"
Malthir looks at the various clues, extremely concerned with finding Varn's sword.
Any follow-up questions from the group?
Mine:
Who is the Maven? Has she appeared to you before? Do you know where she sends you these dreams from?
To the others:
Why would they have left items such as this here? The town seems like they abandoned their things. It doesn't make any sense!
I guess hold onto Varn's sword for now Cas, you will get more use out if it than he will I am guessing. Vordakai...do you think this could be our enemy? Did the Centaurs summon something against the folk of Varnhold, had relations gotten that bad?
My guess is we should start with them next. If they caused this or know something about it...we should seek them out.
What do the rest of you think?
The Maven of the Green is... was... a folk figure amongst our tribe. Green and radiant with earthen features, she looks something like a Dryad or a Nymph. She was said to come to deserving Fey in their dreams to reward them with her endless love. She was always compared to Shelyn, your Human deity, by our people. I had always thought her a myth; until a short time ago. It seems the Maven is a cruel creature, not a beautiful one. It is said she sends dreams from beyond this plane; in a place of her own making, in the First World.
"I would be honored to wield Varn's blade, but my arcane powers have become linked with Brightclaw, and without it in my grasp, I would be hard pressed to call forth my magic. Instead, let us store it in the bag of holding. I will be happy to carry that, though."
"Many of the clues we have found point to the Nomen centaur tribe. I suggest we seek them out. We had better be prepared for them to be rather unfriendly, though. Returning the bow would likely go a long way to put them in a friendly mood."
Casimir spends some time studying the torn journal, using his scroll of comprehend languages to aid him.
I see, well never mind then. As long as the magic bag doesn't slow you down it wouldn't be a bad idea for you to carry it.
Malthir looks over Varn's blade before handing it over to Casimir. I wonder if this Maven was involved with what has befallen Varn's kingdom...we have heard of this creature now more than once. This Maven could be the enemy behind many of our troubles as well.
A large sigh, Just when I thought we had an ally...I can't imagine whatever has befallen them will end happily. We will have to move quickly, if any of Varn's people are still alive we must find them. We leave in the morning.
To the other Statkari, Agai, what to do with him? I believe he had nothing to do with this...whatever it is that has befallen this kingdom. I find no reason to punish him more than he has already been punished. Maybe by showing him mercy it will help his people resist the Maven's call.
What do the rest of you think? In reality they haven't really broken any laws although they would have likely killed us if they could and kept these lands.
As the guardians explore the town, Ricter comments:
"See again, that raven. It spies on us with unnatural dilligence, just like those crows attacked us with unnatural ferocity. What's more, that cat...'spoke' of a new bird song. These events feel related, but I lack the arcane knowledge to say more"
When Malthir gathers the guardians to discuss the next move:
"Maegar Varn may be absent, but he is still the rightful ruler of this town and we must enforce the laws he has laid down. Agai should be punished for at least grand theft and assault with murderous intent. His people looted this keep, after all. Research must be done as to what Varn's court would have deemed an acceptable sentance. Until then, I say he should be imprisoned in Swordhaven."
"By the same token, we should be ready to return the valuables we've gathered if a legitimate ruler of Varnhold is ever found. I will also set teams to work digging a cell so deep in the bedrock that after a couple of centries imprisoned down there this Maven of the Green will forget what her precious forests even looked like"
Upon the discovery of the hidden potions of water breathing, Fenna looks at them thoughtfully.
---
Rewarding the hungry cat with some food from her rations, the pale gnome speaks to it firmly, though not unkindly, "This is for your answers, but you are a cat; a mighty predator... you must not rely on your feeders for food, you should learn to catch food for yourself."
---
"It does looks that the centaurs are involved this disappearance," Fenna observes to Malthir and Casimir, "though whether they are responsible for it remains to be seen... is this bow here because its centaur wielder was present at whatever event transpired, and suffered the same fate as the citizens of Varnhold? or is it a trophy from one of the conflicts between them and Varn? We should ask Agai where he found the bow, as well as Maegar's blade; a different picture is painted if they were safely stored away, than if they were strewn about as though in mid-use."
What do the rest of you want to do with Agai? I am torn on what to do with him.
"He seems guilty of little more than theft and trespass in my eyes. Yes, he and his people did resist us with lethal force, as Ricter points out, but we did initiate the conflict having been given no legitimate authority over this region by its rightful ruler."
"If Agai is guilty of assault, then by extension of the same reasoning, we are guilty of murder."
The journal Casimir read recorded the career of a certain Willas Gunderson; a ranger and self-proclaimed "treasure hunter2 in the company of Maegar Varn. The journal includes a description of several skirmishes that occurred between the colonists and a tribe of barbaric centaurs that inhabit the hills east of Varnhold. The journal names the tribe as the Nomen centaurs. The last journal entry is dated approximately 3 weeks ago and relates to a mundane scouting report of Varnhold Pass.
Casimir also located a page partially torn from the journal. The top of the page is dated 2 months ago and simply says-
"Found bracelet by the river.”
The rest of the page has been torn away; and the next page bears the single large rune inscribed in charcoal.
Casimir was able to identify the rune as an archaic Ulfen symbol designed to ward off bad luck.
Agai reluctantly admitted that the bow itself had been stolen from the Nomen centaurs many moons ago, while the Culchek tribe were roaming the Dunsward. Maegar's sword, he claimed, was found within the lord's own chambers, sheathed and lying upon a table.
Armiger Narsius, the net-throwing Hellknight novice that Kalev trounced at the tournament, rode to Varnhold on the group's third day there. He saluted to Ricter and Malthir as he approached the keep.
Duke al Dagon. Maralictor Vorsk. Signifer Grachius sent me to bring word. Thus far, there has been little of note on the bridge. Our company has faced off several more attacks by Undead; much smaller in scale than the initial one. We believe these groups to be simple stragglers from the main horde; and the Signifer is confident that the bridge can be held, even with a token force should it be deemed wise to withdraw. Morale is high and the wounded have mostly been seen to, with the worst of them awaiting High Priest Kavken's ministrations. Do you have a report, or orders to the Signifer, for my return trip?
"See again, that raven. It spies on us with unnatural diligence, just like those crows attacked us with unnatural ferocity. What's more, that cat...'spoke' of a new bird song. These events feel related, but I lack the arcane knowledge to say more"
Are you sure it has been watching us? For how long now?
It could be some form of spying, scrying or remote viewing... should we attempt to capture it?
What do the rest of you want to do with Agai? I am torn on what to do with him.
He could remain our prisoner for a while? To help ensure his tribemates keep the peace and possibly to earn his freedom through good deeds.
Perhaps we could bind him with magic? I have heard of a spell that would compel him to follow as instructed. We could procure a scroll?
He has proven to be a capable warrior..
If the Spriggans stole the bow... it seems to lessen the likelihood of the centaurs involvement here...
Varn's sword abandoned in his chamber? And where are all the people? Why are there no bodies? Why would centaurs take the bodies and leave everything else?
Who knows maybe this Maven has manipulated the Centaurs. We will find out soon.
The treasure will be loaded into the bag. We will certainly try to return it to its owners, if they live.
Maybe we should try to catch this creature, it could be a familiar of someone or thing. If we see it again sneak up on it invisible and see if you can grab it. Fenna can then question it.
Malthir thanks the Armiger for his vigilance in reaching us. He lets the man rest for a while as Malthir asks him about certain men he saw that were injured when they left.
He leaves the orders and report to Ricter.
A compulsion scroll, Kip you surprise me. You of all people are normally opposed to such things. We really don't have time to deal with him at the moment.
Kalev/Cas, any thoughts before coming to a decision on Agai?
I know, it is not something I would normally suggest... but then I am unpredictable like that! Kip responds with a sarcastic smirk.
In a serious tone he continues, But I fear the alternative suggestion will see him imprisoned indefinitely... or worse. I also know that Master Vorsk will not allow Agai to accompany us without conditions. I am suggesting a limited geas to placate both sides.
I say allow him to earn his freedom through his actions. We would not compel him to act in a goodly way, per se, as that would contradict the purpose, but we would compel him to refrain from physically harming us.
The rest would be up to him...
Agai means little to me at this point. I agree with Fenna somewhat that in legal terms and trying to bring him along or trying to figure out how to imprison him seems like it will be difficult. Here is my suggestion.
We set him free...he swears to us that he will not heed the Maven's call again and will in fact resist her if it should come to that. He will also guide his people away from this area and not return.
In return we set him free to be back with his people.
I know, it doesn't seem like me but my main concern is Varn and his people. Agai means little compared to that.
If you are opposed speak now, you will be heard otherwise we move on.
I am fine with your decision
Kip casts an expectant eye upon Ricter...
"With all due respect, Baron, if we set Agai loose he will immediately make for our lands and launch a punitive raid. These creatures are cunning and vengeful, and they know firsthand that Kardas is without it's Guardians."
"Armiger Narsius arrived at a fortunate time. He can escort the prisoner back to the dungeons of Swordhaven, where he can await the judgement of the Varnhold authorities if and when we locate them. Fenna is right - the more serious charges cannot be upheld. The lesser crimes, however, need to be answered for. It's a useful side effect that keeping him in custody will keep his people fearful and docile"
As for Ricter's orders to Armiger Narsius:
"I suspect we are being spied upon by Fey forces. An enemy greater than these raiders knows that the Guardians are beyond the boarders of Kardas. I trust the Signifier's judgement that the undead threat will only diminish. Withdraw two thirds of our forces and distribute them evenly through the settled regions, and have them stay vigilant for signs of chaos. If anything inexplicable happens, no matter how seemingly trivial, send riders to Swordhaven so that the Baron can be notified"
Regarding the crow:
"It passes over daily, and stays for too long. Capturing and interrogating it would be an excellent idea, if one among us has the stealth."
@ Agai:
This one is no different than Hargulka or any of the other pests that have plagued us. He is a pawn, not a player, and now he has served his use, I doubt our enemy will find more use for him. Let's send him running, with his tail between his legs. We have more pressing matters to attend to than playing constable in a realm where we hold no authority.
@ the crow
We could try to shoot it out of the sky. I have bane arrows against both animals and magical beasts, and combined with the centaur bow, a few shots at most should suffice.
@ what to do next
We should have out troops send a token force here to keep the settlement clear of any other squatters while we seek out the Centaurs to return the bow and find out if they are involved or holding Varn and his men.
If at all possible, we should make sure we are covered in regards to magical protection against mind control.
Cas would like to have a Hellknight messenger return to Swordhaven with instructions for his uncle (and other relevant agents) to research Maven of the Green and Vordakai, then have Jhod use a sending to report the results to us. Include a copy of the notes and sketch we found.
Oh...and:
"And so it was, high upon the Torres and well above the Vale's stairs, where rises from the high water a stony island of dire report. Known as Vordakai's island to those that do live thereabout, some legend of its name doth come down through the locals. For they speak of a guardian that doth destroy all who would set foot upon its accursed shores. They did name no fewer than a twelvecount of their hero-knights who had left their bones upon its rocky shores over the years after having tested their mettle against its dread warden, 'til none would any longer go there for fear of its hidden terrors. And the name of this terror was given unto this island..."
Cheerful place. Can't wait to visit - 'cause somehow I get the feeling that we're going to before long.
Whilst leveling up, I remembered I can use discern lies as a spell-like ability! Any chance that could have been in effect whilst we interrogated Agai? It only lasts for 3 rounds, but that could have covered "Did you have anything to do with the people in the town missing?" and "What do you know about them going missing?". The save DC is 16, if it's OK to retcon that it was in effect. No problem if not.
My only concern with bringing any men here is if whatever happened to the citizens if still out there and could affect them.
Maybe we should find out what happened before we bring any other men here?
To the Statkari, You may not like what I am going to do but if there is a chance to turn Agai's people away from the Maven then I am going to take it, and we have bigger priorities right now.
Agai, you and your people defended yourselves and I believe in this case you did nothing wrong. You came to empty lands upon the advice of a creature you don't understand, but one that cares nothing for you or yours.
You are free to go back to your people as long you agree to my one requirement.
You will swear to me, as one leader to another, that you will resist the call of the Maven and guide your people to do the same. You will also leave these lands and not return to any lands in the Greenmarch.
If you agree to my terms, you may rejoin your people. No threats are needed, you know what will happen if we cross paths again.
Do you agree?
Malthir will supply him with basic equipment and food and send him on his way assuming he agrees.
Agai said little but solemnly nodded his head as he took his leave; much to Ricter's chagrin. The Guardians got the impression that he didn't want to push his good fortune any further by further antagonising his captors; even though they had kept his enchanted blade and armour...
Armiger Narsius saluted and took off the same day he arrived, relaying the Field Maralictor's new orders.
Refreshed after a few days of light scouting, hard training and interrogation, the Guardians of the Greenbelt ventured east towards the lands of the Nomen; the centaur tribe that Maegar Varn had once spoken of difficulties with.
Exploring the grassland as they went, the Guardians could not fail to notice, at around midday, the obvious signs of a skeletal army. The bones of such creatures were hardly stable at the best of times and here and there, pieces of the army made their movements obvious, as well as the (somewhat) trampled ground; mere skeletons made less imprint than a full foot or boot certainly. It seemed that the host had travelled north towards Nivakta's Crossing; a small village directly west of Restov, and Kalev estimated that they had passed over a week ago...
They must be trying to outflank us. I will do a sending to Vaysh and have her gather move the men to that area to hold off this hoard. They must move quickly if we are to stop them from moving into Kardas. To be honest we should continue to the source of these undead.
Malthir will send his short message
Another undead hoard moving towards Nivakta's Crossing, reposition what men we have and fight them as needed to stop them from entering Kardas if possible.
Unless anyone else can think of a better message.
So this is a second undead army? How long after the first did this one mobilize?
And not to be too blunt, but doesn't defending Nivakta's Crossing fall under the purview of Brevoy? It is their settlement is it not? Do we have the manpower to spare? Are we putting our own people at risk? I mean, we can offer to assist, but shouldn't Brevoy be warned as well? Or do you think it too late?
Something else twigs in Kip's mind. Would assisting a Rostland settlement breach our agreement with the Surtovas? This could drag us into their civil war no?
I am guessing Kalev could give us a little more info on the tracks?
Yes I believe it is...but I am guessing that it is going to our settlements after destroying the crossing and that is why I am sendig the men there.
If it crosses into Brevoy they will deal with it even if it causes them some damage, the order was to defend out territory...although I am sure Vaysh would assist them if it came down to it.
Kalev could ascertain that it was an army of skeletons, headed north to Nivatka's Crossing and had passed through about a week ago. He couldn't determine much more, although he noted no large footprints in this host.
Kip gets back astride his pony, ready to seek out the centaurs...
"I advise altering that message to specify "the bridge garrison" rather than "what men we have". Kip is right, it's not our remit to defend a Brevoy settlement - though it is strategically wise to send a small mounted force to confirm Nivikta's crossing holds and lend assistance if the battle is in the balance."
"We should keep the village garrisons in place - Agai is right now marching on your lands to loot and kill until he can replace his magical weaponry"
"I agree, our forces should focus on making sure the horde does not venture into Kardas. But they get there in time, they should of course warn the townsfolk so they can flee or call for help. We should not let this new development throw us off course - if anything, the sooner we can shed light on who is behind these attacks, the better."
I was born of Brevoy...as were most of you. If we can help the crossing we will.
I care little for the politics of the north, the war that rages there is a terrible thing...for both sides.
We can not forget that we are goodly men before all else. I fear that the crossing is already lost with the hoard already a week gone...but if our forces can help them we will. Do any of you think that Vaysh would sit by with our men and let the crossing being slaughtered? Even if I ordered it Vaysh wouldn't follow such an order.
I think it makes sense to change the message though to refer to the bridge garrison.
This evil wields great power...it will not hide for long.
"I would be wise to ensure that riders are sent ahead of our force to announce their arrival, should the crossing yet stand... it would be unfortunate if our aid was interpreted as an attempt to annex the town."