"We'd better find out for sure before we move in."
Painfully aware that the area your in is now explored but not yet claimed or colonised, you uneasily settle in for the rest of the night and morning. Kalev, having taken lead on mapping the area and seemingly most at home in the woods, effortlessly recalls and locates a well concealed cave- its a little cramped but its warm enough. The tired Ranger also covers your tracks in a half mile radius so that it will be difficult to find follow you here. Casimir takes some comfort in the fact that pursuit from the rock troll is unlikely as the sun is almost on you as you finally make camp once more. After some discussion and an quick inventory of your remaining supplies, you settle in for the night, posting a watch pattern despite your fatigue.
To your relief, each of your watch patterns are uneventful and although its past midday, your finally well rested after what must have been the most tiring day's adventuring you've had in some time. Kalev in particular is feeling the aches and strain of the rapid pain and healing he felt repeatedly the day before. Ricter and Malthir end up putting their full plate on at the same time, and neither man can help but breathe a private sigh of relief as they are once more enveloped in fine steel platemail.
You arrive back at the keep within an hour of departing from the cave, and find yourself in the same situation as the previous day- watching it from the south edge of the forest having circled the keep to arrive there, less than a hundred feet from the rubble strewn south entrance. At first glance, everything seems quiet. You don't hear the sound of trolls inside, and you don't see any movement from your current position.
I highly doubt they have left. Especially if the rock troll cannot travel by day. They must be laying in wait. Do we wish to do a little reconnaissance and possibly recover Cas' wand, or shall we just rush in?
Scouting is a must, I would like to know what we face if they are still here. Maybe send Casimir in invisible? What do you think Cas?
I beg your pardon Baron, but I would point out that I have little difficulty navigating the overgrown courtyard... can use my wand to boost my speed and am really the stealthiest one here. Especially doing so at speed. He looks to Cas and Kalev, No offence gentlemen, but it pays to be small sometimes. Kip smiles, knowing that he is volunteering for a dangerous assignment. At the very least, I should accompany Cas. Someone needs to keep him out of trouble. Kip winks at Cas.
Of course, we could also attempt to draw them out... I could create an illusion of say a wounded deer... an easy meal, just outside the walls and see what... bites... Kip grins mischievously.
An encounter in open terrain may be in our favor. Spread them out, separate them and deal with a few at a time instead of all them at once from every direction.
Pits, entangles and such... a war of attrition. This could be our first siege! Kip chuckles. What do you think?
"I suspect it would be better to know exactly what we are dealing with, first. But drawing them out would certainly be a sound approach; we learned first-hand that being surrounded in the courtyard is a poor tactical position."
I'm not sure a complete reconnaissance of the keep will be possible... in a safe manner anyhow. Anything that involves extended time or actually proceeding much beyond the gap in the wall raises the stakes dramatically. I was thinking more of a quick peek, and if possible, a dash into the tower to see if the wand is still where Cas dropped it. If I can get close enough, my ability to detect magical auras should hopefully tell me if the wand still lays upon the floor.
Presumably the rock troll will be holed up in some dark area. Likely one of the more intact towers. That leaves the other trolls and our mystery rock thrower...
Kip taps his chin in thought. I wonder if I could undermine one of the towers with a few of my pit spells? The keep has shown to be less than stable... If we find out which tower the rock troll is hiding in, I could expose him...
What do you guys think?
"Better you stick to scouting for now, Kip. I like the idea of luring the trolls out into the open, but first we should find out if they are still here. Mind that you move in downwind of the keep, though and don't get too close. These ugly brutes have a keen sense of smell."
"A cunning idea, Kip, but would it be worth it considering how devestating pit spells have proved to be against these creatures when used in the conventional way?"
It's a fine plan Kip, lets head back and see what is there. The Trolls will not find us such an easy catch this time!
Kip can scout the edges and see what he can see and hear.
Scouting ahead of the group and sticking to the rubble and undergrowth once hes inside the keep itself, Kip can see no sign of the trolls in the courtyard.
Kip stealth
Kip Perception
??? Perception
Moving to a position in the tall undergrowth where he can peek inside the damaged tower, Kip is surprised to see the Rock Troll still stood inside, a small tree trunk held over his shoulder in his stony fists keeping his distance from the sunlit entrances to the room. The interior walls of the room look badly damaged, as though someone has been going at them with an oversized sledgehammer all night- or perhaps the tree trunk itself. The tower looks like it could collapse at any moment. The rock troll spots Kip sneaking around the keep and laughs, a deep, rumbling sound that is easily audible to the other Guardians who have moved up to just outside the keep; as well as his voice. He addresses the Halfling without introduction.
Kargadd knew the prey would come back. You think you are... hunters now? he snorts in contempt, bits of earth and rock flying out of his oversized nostrils.
Hargulka- he understands how you must be hunted now. You will regret being an obstacle to his ambitions.
The rock troll holds up a crude white banner- it depicts the six of you running from a stone tower with terrified expressions on your faces, with trolls in pursuit and a rather inflated, 30 foot tall rock troll that is nevertheless clearly Kargadd.
Hmmm, I thought of something. If this rock troll is vulnerable to sunlight, could we perhaps use an illusion to make it appear the sun has set to draw it out?
Your no tracker but as you looked around you saw there are a lot of footprints in this keep- more than four trolls certainly.
You see no sign of Casimir's wand, but Ricter's discarded shield still lies in the undergrowth.
Kip is somewhat startled by the sight of the rock troll, not that he tries to let on. Keeping his wits about him, he responds to the troll's taunting. What is that supposed to be? A white flag of surrender? You didn't have to go to the trouble of scribbling on it. Plain white would have sufficed.
Kip glances about before continuing, Where are your friends? Run off to tattle on what happened here last night? Or perhaps waiting in ambush...
Observing the state of the central keep, Kip more loudly than before, that the other Guardians will surely hear, adds, What are your plans now? Bring the tower down in hopes of burying the lot of us? Surely you have not thought it quite through... your regenerative ability may save you from the crushing, but I hear the sun is another problem altogether. As is the acid we carry...
The rock troll smirks, but refuses to be further goaded into giving more information. His grasp of Common struggles but he seems to have rehearsed the sentences he then speaks.
My plan is to sit here and witness your despair. Your too late. Hargulka marched through here, several hours ago. If hes not already destroying your precious city, he will be soon.
Kargadd hefts the tree trunk he is holding as a makeshift club, giving it a few short swings for emphasis.
So if I must destroy this tower and bury myself temporarily, I am sure you won't waste your time digging me out. You have failed.
Having absolutely no idea if the troll speaks the truth, Kip calls out, Kalev! Tracks! Is he speaking the truth?! before gesturing and speaking the phrase required to conjure an extra dimensional pit beneath the trolls feet.
Guardians, hold your ground, let's see if what he says is the truth, Kip keep an eye on the other towers for friends to suddenly pop out.
Whispers to Kalev, See if you can find out if what he says is the truth, they would have gone east or northeast from this place.
Bluff check if needed
Reflex
Kargadd quickly moves away from the pit opening up underneath him and sneers at Kip as the other Guardians approach.
Not quick enough! he roars as he slams the tree trunk into one of the weakened walls with both hands. The entire tower finally collapses in a dramatic, crumbling fashion- burying the rock troll under several tons of stone and rubble.
Kip curses at his missed opportunity as the tower implodes. As the dust settles, Kip emerges from the cloud caked in powdered stone. He uses minor magic to clean himself up while questioning the assembled Guardians, What do you think? Was he telling the truth?
Malthir, you should message Vaysh! Warn them of the possibility! Ask her only to respond if Hargulka's forces arrive!
We should quickly check for other trolls and then make for the horses...
Having arrived on the scene, it doesn't take long for Kalev's expert eyes to see there are a multitude of tracks arriving in through the east gate, gathering as though listening to an orator in the centre of the couryard and then leaving via the east gate once more. Kalev recognises the tracks as belonging to troll's, but he can also make out the pawprints of trollhounds and one distinctly larger set of footprints that dwarf the others. He suspects they might belong to a giant or some other huge creature- but this giant was not the one orating to the others; that appeared to be another troll. He estimates their numbers at approximately a dozen trolls and a handful of trollhounds.
Casimir's visage grow very grim as Kalev relates the story told by the tracks.
"That is a whole lot of ugly heading towards our villages and farms. I don't see how we can hope to stop them alone, but we certainly have to do something. If we can catch them at all, we might be able to hit their rear and draw some of their forces away, but it looks like they have a smart leader that will probably keep them in check. In any event, we should probably get after them right away."
I agree. If time permitted, I would have suggested digging this rock troll out and expose him to sunlight, but we don't have that kind of luxury. Let's hunt some troll!
With that, Kalev moves quickly to the horses tied nearby, assuming the others will follow.
"You are correct, Casimir," Fenna nods, "we would be at a severe disadvantage if we were to face such a force alone... but we are not without allies in these forests; I think we should try to get word to Red-eye's pack, and the friendly fey of the region."
Guardians, the odds are stacked against us but we do not stand alone.
We can prepare SwordHaven for their arrival, summon what allies we can, and then beat the trolls to our city. It will take them a day or two to get there even driving themselves hard whereas we can drive ourselves harder if necessary. We will beat them to SwordHaven and be waiting for them with everything we have. They will find no easy prey there. I will message Vaysh and have her send word for Redeye and the Fey while we follow and try to overtake them.
Let me know if there is anything specific you want me to include in the message but I was going to tell her what I can about the group and our request to summon what militia and allies she can.
We have no time to waste, we must ride after them and over-take them.
Ricter retrieves his shield and follows Kalev towards the horses.
"Their numbers mean nothing. They march to their doom"
You know the lay of this land better than any of the Guardians. Your pretty confident that if the troll's passed through here several hours ago like the tracks imply, their arrival at Swordhaven would be within the next few hours if they were pushing themselves hard.
"We should also have Vaysh evacuate the outlying farms to the south of Swordhaven."
The tracks leave the gate Kalev, but which direction do they head?
Malthir scribbles out a message to Vaysh, shows the group and then activates the amulet, 12 Trolls plus leader-giant march towards Kardas. Prepare defenses you can plus redeyes allies. Try scout their approach fight hit run. On the way.
Malthir sends his message but doesn't receive an immediate reply. The tracks appear to be heading east, towards the Tuskwater.
If the trolls know the area, and that is their destination, they could be upon Swordhaven in a few hours. I sincerely hope your lovely wife gets that message. We may be able to beat them to it, if we press the horses, but it would most likely kill them, and leave us fatigued.
As do I Kalev, we leave now at full speed, I will heal the horses if needed to try and catch up with them...
Assume we hustle to 50' move for as long as we can sustain it....
Uhm guys....I might be a bit distracted from the game for a while...*points to new forum tag*
(oh, and vote for me!)
As everyone readies to ride hard for Swordhaven, Kip stands by his pony with a troubled expression upon his face. He looks at the other Guardian's big, sleek horses, and then back at his own pony. He sighs, stroking his pony's neck, before mumbling to no one in particular, Should I leave my pony behind and double up with one of you? My pony cannot run as fast as your mounts, and I don't want to be responsible for slowing us down. There are too many lives at stake. He presses his forehead to Rum Cake's cheek, waiting silently for the response, while stealing a glance at Dandelion...
Kalev looks at Kip and Fenna with a sad expression, knowing how it must feel leaving an old friend behind.
My horse will not move faster than your pony or Fenna's dog, so if we shift around some gear, they should be able to keep up.
"We ride together, as fast as we can - we accomplish nothing by dividing our strength."
Kesten Garess sighed heavily as he stood at the forefront of the meeting, instinctively taking charge in such a situation- the city of Swordhaven was to be attacked. Only a short time ago he had been sat enjoying a fine lunch with his wife and looking down fondly on his baby son, in a wooden crib that Vaysh had made for him. He remembered distinctly kissing Vera goodbye as he was rushed to an urgent meeting in the castle. He dearly hoped that he would see them both again- but he knew that this attack could easily claim his life; for how could he ask the men of Kardas to risk their lives if he was not willing to risk his?
For a moment, Kesten cursed the troll's timing- he was due to leave Kardas for his home in Brevoy in just over a week's time. He felt shame at this thought- Kardas had welcomed him with open arms and had been a fine home for him. The Brevic noble swiftly reprimanded himself for the moment of weakness, and he thought back to a quotation his grandfather was fond of-
Death is lighter than a feather, duty heavier than a mountain. The fact that the price must be paid is proof it is worth paying.
The quotation had never struck any emotional chord with him before but now; it chilled him to the bone.
He summed up the activity since Vaysh called the first meeting to the other Statkari for everyone's benefit.
Riders have already been dispatched to warn the nearby farms and smaller settlements to watch for the trolls and be ready to immediately evacuate if they are seen. We have some of Kalev's men acting as a scout screen- we should get a little warning before they are on us, though we have no real idea how close they are. We can probably assume they could be on us at any moment, as if there was a way to cut them off i'm sure the Guardians would have already done so. I charged Jhod and Karina with finding Red Eyes and his pack; I know there was some discontent over this decision but the potential for an allied flanking force is too good not to send someone; and Jhod will be able to speak to any wolf he sees with his magic.
Kesten produced a basic map of Swordhaven, laying it out on the large stone table showing the different districts and the castle- Kardasholme.
Our trained guards, militia and fighting men number a little more than sixty in all. Together with the volunteers, we have a fighting force of just over two hundred capable warriors. Flintfire Forge has generously provided our men enough crossbows and bows to provide us with good ranged capability, and Oleg was able to purchase healing potions from Bokken's reserve. I have made Kundal my leutenant and Noleski my runner; let it be known that commands from these two men come from my mouth to your ears, through them.
Kesten bit his tongue nervously, wincing inwardly although trying to show no weakness publicly to the other Statkari. It was important to maintain his composure and give off an aura of confidence. His plan wasn't going to be popular, but it was necessary. Kardasholme represented the only realistic chance of taking on the force Malthir had described.
It will not be enough to meet them on the field. We will need our attackers to see the castle and little else to distract them. We need to break them on the walls of this fine keep. A troll alone is a match for ten or more of our men. Several working together under an intelligent commander could easily best all two hundred of ours. We need to get as many essential staff into the castle as we can and get the rest moving east, within sight of Swordhaven.
Kesten paused, letting the plan sink in. Vaysh looked like she was about to argue, but fell silent with an arm partly raised in protest.
Which brings us to a seperate issue- the defence of the citizens. They would make an easy target for any other hostile element in the Stolen Lands. Therefore, Kressle, Akiros, you will guard them, along with ten men. Keep a scout posted to watch for our fate and
Vaysh's quiet voice, nevertheless firm and resolute despite its volume, cut across the audience chamber, interrupting Kesten.
I will not be leaving. If they seek to hurt Malthir, they will target me; and I will not bring harm on the heads of the civilians; not when I can take action to prevent it. I will remain here in Kardasholme- and I will make sure that I am seen on the walls by the initial attack.
Kesten immediately responded, indignation creeping into his voice-
My lady, the Baron would object to this course of action. He would not condone you using yourself as bait!
Vaysh smiled as she replied-
Your quite right Kesten, he would not. But he is not here right now- and I have faith that he and our other staunch protectors will arrive in time. I'm sure he and I will have some fierce words about this in happier times, but it is my decision to make. I am not some pretty wallflower; if you recall I have magic of my own, and I am quite capable. Kressle will go with the civilians- Akiros, my faithful Warden- will you be my protector, and the protector of my unborn child this day?
Akiros nodded sternly.
I will, Vaysh. No troll or giant shall get past me.
Kesten moved to protest further, but it seemed Vaysh's mind was already made up. He decided there was not enough time to push the point further.
Fine. he said through gritted teeth, a degree of finality to his tone. He mastered his feelings once more, reasserting his calm aura and continuing in a neutral tone.
Sootscales- you and your fellows may be invaluable in this fight. I want you to act as messengers; we need to be able to effectively liason with Red Eyes, Jhod and the Guardians. Use every trick you know to ensure messages between us pass through successfully.
The door to th council room burst open, a messenger frantically running into the room and collapsing to one eye.
My lady, my lords- the troll force has been spotted crossing the skunk river near the tuskwater; they'll be on us within minutes! Their leader seems to be a troll brute with two heads!
Kesten barked out his next command, infusing a sense of haste in all gathered in the room. He drew his sword as he spoke and began to move to the walls.
You all have your orders- GET MOVING. For Erastil! For Iomedae! For Kardas!