"Sia retreat" Eustoma calls. Then she moves up to get into a flank with Wulfram drawing her longsword as she goes. She swings at the centaur.
Sia withdraws from combat.
Eustoma calls for Sia to retreat. As the wolf withdraws, the halfling moves in with blade drawn. She slices upward at the centaur, cutting open a gash on his underbelly.
Karla's magic missile strikes true, while Rogar misses again. The sorceress sends Nik'o in to attack, but the centaur dodges the cat's claws.
Wulfram heals Sia before moving around to the other side of Yorc to flank him with Eustoma.
Yorc is hurting now, but with the writhing plants behind him and you surrounding him, there's no safe way for him to retreat. So he lets out a whooping battle cry as he attacks Eustoma, but the hunter's enhanced agility allows her to narrowly dodge his blade!
"Shame on you, Yorc, for trying to trick us with false friendship!", Wulfram admonished. He swung his heavy mace in both hands at the centaur's hind quarters.
Wulfram brings his mace down hard on the centaur's back, shattering its lower spine with the heavy blow! Yorc groans as his sword falls from lifeless fingers, then he topples forward, hitting the ground with a resounding thud.
Searching the centaur's satchel uncovers a large glass bottle filled with a slimy-looking oil, along with a large sum of gold coins. He also carries a rough map with a location marked "Troglodyte Caves," and a package sealed with parchment and wax. The package contains a magical amulet and a letter:
Salutations Children of the Stone,
My emissary approaches you as a sign of respect, but by now you have seen my soldiers move unchecked across this green and fertile land. The Ironfang Legion means to make all of Nirmathas a home to those the humans would hunt, and turn those same humans into our servants and prey. You would be wise to join our alliance. There is no room for neutral parties when war is all around you, and only one side in this conflict will offer you strength and shelter.
As a sign of the protection the Legion offers, kindly accept this token of my generosity. Take your time in making your decision, but I trust you will come to the conclusion that provides your small and vulnerable tribe a future.
Kindest regards,
General Azaersi
"It's a good thing he didn't get the chance to deliver this letter," Wulfram said, as he finished reading the message in the package. He examined the amulet.
"We'd best be on our way," said Wulfram, looking up at the clouds. "It won't be long before the storm's upon us."
I've been thinking. Would the Ranger base be a good place to set up our new home? We can move further into the woods as well. What are everyone's thoughts on that?"
"Hmmm... Ah don' think so, lass. It's too close ta Phaendar, too close ta tha Hobs. Besides, it's a bit small fer all of us, an' open besides."
Just before you make it back to camp, the sky grows dark unnaturally early as thick, black clouds blanket the sky, flickering with lightning and thunder. The wind picks up quickly and strengthens to a gale that bends the forest. Branches crack and fall from their trees. The rain begins, icy cold and stinging, slow at first but soon driving into the earth in a pounding rhythm. The storm is upon you!
Your followers scurry about the campsite, trying to keep loose articles from blowing away and wrangling your frightened animals. Aubrin staggers over to you. "This is too strong for us to be out here! We need to get to shelter!"
Wulfram surveyed the situation at the camp, trying to judge their protection against the storm and whether there was any better location close by.
"We found a scroll of Plant Growth," he said. "Thickening the forest and underbrush might help cut the wind."
"There's also Calm Animals on the scroll; that could help if the livestock is panicking."
You are close to the cabin. It should be big enough to hold everybody, albeit a bit cramped. You also remember spying a large cave nearby, though other creatures might be taking shelter within it.
"The hunter's cabin is near here," Wulfram said. "Let's take shelter there. I should mention that there were bear traps set around it; I think we disarmed them all, but it's possible that we missed one.
"I also saw a cave in this area, but other animals may be sheltering there from the storm. We could run into a bear or something."
Though the animals are panicking, enough of your followers are skilled at handling them that they are able to wrangle them into some semblance of order. The mother wolf proves to be more ornery, but Edran calms her down with a soothing song long enough for Felicia to get a muzzle and leash on her. The giant gecko is more docile and accepts guidance easily.
Wulfram leads the way, and though the howling winds and drenching rain makes travel difficult and unpleasant, you soon reach the hunter's cabin. You squeeze inside the building, whose walls and roof are sturdy. Outside, you can hear the storm continue to rage, but you are safe from the danger.
After a few more hours, just before sunset, the storm abates. The dark clouds move on, and it is safe to emerge once more.
"It's a good thing you found this place earlier," Aubrin says. The rest of the group agrees and take turns shaking your hands or patting you on the back, grateful to have you as their guides and protectors.
"Were you able to make contact with the Rangers?" Aubrin asks once the excitement has died down.
Wulfram helped to tend to the animals at the cabin, calming them as best he could.
"The base was abandoned," Wulfram said, with a trace of sadness. "It looks like they left a good two weeks ago. We found a partially burned letter in the fireplace; from what we could make out, they were recalled to Fort Trevalay. Do you know where that is?"
After listening to Aubrin's reply, Wulfram pulled out the map and message they had found on the centaur. "On our way back, we were attacked by a centaur named Yorc; he was looking to collect on the bounty on our heads. He was carrying this; it seems that the Ironfang are trying to get the troglodytes to ally against us. It's a good thing he never delivered his message." He showed the map to Aubrin, and studied it to see where the troglodyte caves were located.
Aubrin shakes her head. "Unfortunately, no. I don't know all of the Rangers' hideaways. I trained briefly at a different place, Fort Nunder, but it's far from here. Once we've secured the woods and made sure we won't be tracked, we can try heading there for more clues."
She looks at the map. "The troglodytes' caves are only about eight miles northeast of here. We could get there in two days while foraging, or one with a full day's march. Eliminating them would remove a dangerous threat from the reason, and their caves would make an excellent base for us to set up a semi-permanent home."
Unfortunately, nobody else has heard of the fort. Aubrin is the local expert on the Chernasardo Rangers, so if she doesn't know something about them, it's highly unlikely anybody else will.
"Ah say we take tha Troglodytes. Ah like tha idea o' being in caves- easier ta defend- and we can also take out them at tha same time. Perhaps tha group takes two days ta forage on their way while we go ahead an' clear out tha caves, so it's ready fer the rest o' tha group when they arrive." Rogar posits.
Wulfram talked to Kining to get her scouting report, before planning the next day's activities.
"A dwarf who wants to live underground? I'm shocked!", Wulfram said with a grin. In a more serious tone he said, "It's too bad they're not amenable to negotiation. Perhaps there are some who are different, but the ones we met seemed determined to be our enemies."
As you discuss your plans around the campfire, you notice the optimistic mood among your followers. They sing songs, tell stories, and thank the gods for their blessings. They talk confidently about finding a new home soon.
Aubrin approaches you with a smile. "We wouldn’t have made it this far without you," she says. "Everyone wants you to know how much we appreciate what you've done for us. We're going to keep pulling together until we find a place to call home. With you on our side, we will find that home. In the meantime, I’ve got something to show you."
Aubrin picks up a staff and holds it upright in both hands. A crossbeam has been tied to the top of the staff and a green scarf hangs down like a banner. Two bristly pine branches lie across the top, tied down to the crossbeam with twine. "We decided we needed a symbol," she says proudly. "Something to rally us. What do you think?"
After a short period of contemplation, Wulfram healed most of Sia's remaining wounds.
"I think it looks great!", Wulfram replied, as Aubrin revealed the new banner. "The spirit of Phaendar endures, and will never be conquered!"
"Ah like it. Wha' should we call it?" Rogar looks at the banner with appreciation as he practices his powers, trying to improve his precision and range.
"Phaendar's Defiants... I like it!" Aubrin says with a grin. "Come, friends. Jet's about to ration out some of the spirits we found at the Taproot. Let's raise a glass to Cayden Cailean and celebrate our survival!"
Wulfram gladly accepted his mug of grog. As he listened to Aubrin lead the initial toast, he realized he really should say something. I've fought vicious hobgoblins, an undead horror and a bloodthirsty centaur; I've faced down a charging wild boar. Why am I afraid to lead my friends in a toast? Fighting his nerves, he rose to his feet and lifted his mug. "I'd like to propose a toast to Jet, whose management of our food stores, and creative use of the ingredients at hand, has kept us fed with good, hearty meals. To Jet!"
"I'd also like to recognize the diligent scouting done by Kining, who has warned us of dangers and discovered opportunities for us here in Fangwood (at some cost to her unfortunate pack). To Kining!"
Rogar spends some time with Jace and Karrga, coaching them in the ways of Torag to deepen their faith.
Jet raises her glass to Wulfram. "Remember, small sips. Let's try to make the alcohol last. I don't know how long it will be before we an acquire more," she says with a smile.
Kining seems surprised when her apprentice toasts her next. "Yes, well, don't think I'm doing all of this out of the goodness of my heart," the dwarf mutters. "I'm keeping a detailed list of all of my scouting sorties, and I expect to be fairly compensated for my time when this is all done." It's difficult to tell if she's joking or not.
Several of your other followers seem inspired to further their abilities or learn new ones, and eventually the night's revelry comes to an end. In the morning, you march east towards the troglodytes' caves, trusting Aubrin to lead your followers at a slower pace and catch up to you in a couple of days.
The journey takes most of the day, and it is late afternoon when you reach the destination marked on the map. There, beneath a tree-covered ridge, you see multiple cavern entrances, but most are mere fissures in the rock, too small to access. A bit of search reveals a low but wide cave entrance screened by hanging roots big enough to allow passage. It is pitch dark, and a pungent smell wafts from the caves.
1st lvl Spells: Bless, Cure Light Wounds, Gentle Breeze
2nd lvl Spells: Bull's Strength, Fog Cloud
"We'll see you in a couple of days," Wulfram said to Aubrin as the party prepared to depart. "Hopefully, our new home will be ready when you arrive!" He bid the camp goodbye and set our on the journey to the caves.
After a full day's march, the group arrived at the caves. "Is everyone ready to enter the caves now?", Wulfram asked.
Wulfram listened to Karla's questions: they were thoughts he had struggled with as well. "I understand your misgivings, Karla," he said. "I would prefer to make peace with them. I know little of them, apart from our earlier encounter with them. Aubrin told of the Chernasardo Rangers being attacked by a troglodyte tribe, and of them killing and eating wounded rangers. She described them as cruel and completely evil. Perhaps not all of them are like that, but what if they are?
"We do know that the Ironfang Legion is trying to get them to ally against us. The message we intercepted will not be the last. If they were to join with the Hobgoblins, I fear that we will not be able to stand against them. Those Phaendar survivors who are not enslaved will be killed. I'm afraid to gamble all their lives based on the hope of the troglodyte's good intentions."
Rogar looks at the sky and sighs, "Oh, Torag above! We cannae keep taking so many o' our foes into tha camp. Firs' tha wolf, then tha lizard, and now tha troglodytes? If nothin' else, the smell migh' cause a rebellion with our refugees, and then we 'ave ta guard them day and night. An' if we let them go, then they jus' join tha Hobs and 'elp them find us and fight us. We cannae afford ta let any o' them go."
"I know a ritual that will help me determine the truthfullness of a creature's statements," Wulfram replied. "If we take a prisoner, I should be able to tell if it is making false promises to save its own skin."
"But a prisoner still needs guards, and ta be fed. As we are, we'll run ou' o' food in three days. If a Trog is telling tha truth about not wanting ta die, tha' still doesn' help us that much."
"I think Rogar is the only one of us who has any hope of remaining undetected while scouting ahead," Wulfram replied. "As far as I know, the rest of us need light to see, which would give us away, unless the tunnels are already lit."
Rogar slips into the cave, trying to be stealthy. Beyond the tangle of roots shading the cave entrance, a narrow tunnel slopes sharply down. The tips of tree roots protrude from the ceiling like stained teeth. Faint light from outside catches on a streak of cloudy teal crystal running along the length of one wall. Bulbous brown and purple fungal growths sprout from the ground, and an unpleasant, faintly sulfurous odor hangs in the air.
The ceiling is only four feet high, and the dwarf has to hunch over a bit to move. He draws near a purple mushroom that grows nearly to the ceiling, but as soon as he gets within ten feet of it, it emits a piercing shriek! The sound echoes through the cave, no doubt alerting the troglodytes of his approach!
Rogar quickly steps to the side of the cave wall (hopefully within a crevasse of some sort) and raises a thin wall of stone to conceal most of him (while still giving himself a crack to peek out of). He then waits until the troglodytes come to investigate, hoping they'll dismiss the sound as a false alarm when they don't see anyone.
Hiding behind his rock wall, Rogar waits after the shrieker's alarm has died down. After a few minutes, he sees a single troglodyte approach the entrance to the tunnel. It looks around, but doesn't see the dwarf hiding nearby. Growling, it turns and disappears back around the corner.
Wulfram cursed under his breath as he followed the others down the small tunnel. He was hunched over, moving forward in a crouch, trying not to bang his head on the roof of the claustrophobic passageway (and not always succeeding). When he heard the high pitched alarm of the mushroom ahead, he could do little but wait for the actions of those ahead of him.
Once he's satisfied that the troglodyte is gone, he blasts the alarm mushroom with a stone, hopefully silencing it, before continuing.
The mushroom explodes into pulp, allowing the rest of the group to pass by without setting off another alarm. Rogar stays ahead of the others and out of the range of Wulfram's light as he peeks into the next cavern.
The ceiling rises here to almost eight feet in height. A cylindrical mass of roots hangs from the exact center of this room. The roots have been braided together to form a cradle holding a giant violet crystal as big as a human head. Sparkling veins of crystal line the walls. Two troglodytes stand guard under the crystal, clutching their clubs tightly as they keep a close eye on the entrance. Neither one notices Rogar yet, though there is no more cover or concealment once he steps out of the tunnel.
Rogar creeps back to the rest of the group, raising a Kinetic cover to block light at the mouth of the tunnel, but far back enough that it's not visible.
"Two trogs ahead. Ah blocked our light fer niw, by' we need ta extinguish it before we attack" he tells them.
"Without light, you'd have to fight them by yourself," Wulfram replied to Rogar. "We could briefly cover it, if you want to take a surprise opening shot."