Rogar waves aside the praise, "Ah, i' really was nothin. Torag stoo' wi' me with tha blow. T'was jus' a lucky shot. O' course, ah then spend most o' tha fight trapped in a ball o' water, so ah couldn't 'ave done it wi'out you all." he insists.
"Rogar! A one-hit wonder!" Aubrin laughs. "Now if we only had an army of earth-hurling dwarves like you, we'd destroy the Ironfang Legion in no time!"
After a few days of packing up the refugees, Novvi arrives via the Darklands tunnel with her magical bags laden with supplies. "I brought everything you asked for in your sending," the svirfneblin says. "I hope it's enough to get you where you need to go. I'll miss trading with you guys, but who knows? Maybe we'll see each other some time down the road."
Wulfram helped pack furniture, equipment and supplies, and also helped Kining organize the smithy tools for transport.
He talked to Herge and caught up on how things were going with Longfrond. He also asked the giant if he had ever heard of 'The Blight'.
He chatted with Novvi when she arrived for one last trading session. "If we come across another Darklands tunnel, I'll be sure to contact you. Once we've kicked out the Ironfang Legion, I'm sure we'll want to set up a regular trade route."
"I remember some stories about the haunted woods in the northern Chernasardo," Aubrin says in response to Wulfram's question. "Don't go there unless you want to get sick and die, basically."
Later, the smith talks to Herge. "I've made my report to Longfrond, and she has apologized for her previous hostile attitude. She has offered to provide support to your group with advice about dangers in the forest and harvesting food from the fruiting trees. She wants me to stay on with you as well. I'm not much of a fighter, but I can teach your people much about forestry and getting along in the wild."
"The Blight--we call it the Darkblight. It's an accursed place, ruled by wicked fey and rife with fell magic and disease. You'd be well-advised to stay far away."
"I know a little of the blight." she rubs the scar on her arm.
"I'm glad you are staying with us Herge. You can teach us a lot." She will help pack up Misthome.
"It sounds like we should stay away from the Darkblight for now," Wulfram said. Perhaps it's something we'll want to deal with down the road, but we have more pressing concerns at the moment.
"The maps in the tower seemed to show plans for an attack on Longshadow. I think stopping that is likely our next task. Aubrin, what can you tell us about Longshadow and it's defenses?"
"Longshadow is the largest town in the region--probably about 4,000 people live there," Aubrin says. "The majority of them are forgers and smelters. It's one of Nirmathas's main centers of industry--a tempting target for the Ironfang Legion, to be sure. I don't know much about its defenses. Once we get settled in Fort Trevalay, I'd suggest the four of you head to Longshadow to see what you can do to help them."
Soon enough, the time comes to leave Misthome behind. The makeshift beds and furniture have been dismantled. The provisions are packed into crates, the animals in cages or being lead by hand. The caves will now be empty, to await the next group of creatures to come across them and make them into their lair.
Jet wraps her green scarf around her neck as she casts a final look back towards what had become the quartermaster's station. "I'm ready to move on to more comfortable environs. Perhaps the Rangers will have real spices to make some tasty recipes."
Kining snorts in irritation as she shoulders her pack laden with her smith's tools. "I just hope they have a decent forge. I'm not looking forward to trudging through these blasted woods again."
Rhyna laughs good-naturedly. "Come on, Kining, it will be fun! We can sing and tell stories the whole way!"
"That's what I'm dreading," the dwarf mutters.
Aubrin hoists the banner with Phaendar's Defiance hanging from it. She glances at the wooden sculpture of Father Noelan standing watch at the entrance to the caves. "It's been a blast, Father. Take good care of whoever comes this way next, yeah? Well, Misthome--smell you later!" She blows a raspberry and waves her hand in front of her nose for emphasis.
"Alright, folks, let's shake a leg! Two, if you've still got both of them!" She and Cirieo share a chuckle.
And with that, the caravan begins!
Rogar takes up a position at the front of the caravan, keeping an eye out for any danger that might assault them.
However, he does his best to enjoy the journey, practicing his powers along the way and trying to smooth out the path for the cart.
Orisons: Create Water, Detect Magic, Guidance, Light
1st lvl: Bless, Cure Light Wounds, Entangle, Liberating Command, open slot
2nd lvl: Barkskin x3, open slot
3rd lvl: Magic Circle against Evil, Stinking Cloud, open slot
4th lvl: Divine Power, Greater Magic Weapon
Wandering Spirit: Battle
Wandering Hex: Battle Master (one extra AoO), Weapon Specialization (longspear)
Wulfram reasured Kining, "The forge is in good condition. I didn't get a chance to fire it up yet, but everything looks to be in order."
Wulfram stood for a moment in front of the statue. Farewell, Father Noelan — Rhyna is carrying on your work; you taught her well. He said a prayer over his spear, and turned towards the direction of Fort Trevalay.
Eustoma climbs on Stuck, and she and Sia range to the sides of the group keeping watch as they move out.
The journey to Fort Trevalay takes a few days. It's slow-going with so many people trailing in your wake, calling to mind your initial exodus from Phaendar several months ago. One the second day in the woods, a band of weathered Ironfang scouts make an ill-advised attempt at banditry. The four hobgoblins quickly succumb to your superior might.
Interrogating a survivor reveals him to be bitter and surly. He complains loudly about his companions' incompetence and the Legion's decision to dump "the undesirables" on the Fangwood invasion. Apparently, with the fall of the Rangers' forts, word has gotten around to the rank-and-file that their whole operation was merely a diversion and they were never expected to actually hold the forest for long. The soldier knows nothing of the Legion's current plans, though.
After another two days, you reach Fort Trevalay. Cobb Greenleaf greets Cireo and Aubrin warmly, and the other Rangers help your refugees settle in to their new accommodations. While you were away, another twenty-three Rangers made their way back to the liberated fort from their hiding spots in the woods. Your forces now number about seventy-five--a decent sized fighting force, though not nearly enough to oppose the Legion yet.
Rogar spends some time praying, training, and practicing, refocusing his power to gain limited control over swords and other weapons.
Wulfram helped unpack the tools and supplies, and helped Kining fire up the forge. Over the next few days, he cast Stone Shape several times to help repair the bottom of the tower. He talked to the newly arrived rangers and gave them any medical attention they required. In addition, he worked at the forge, making implements and other needed items.
He organized a training program for the immature rocs. In time, he hoped they would prove valuable mounts.
In the week or so after setting into Fort Trevalay, more refugees begin to trickle in, fleeing from the Ironfang Legion. Of greatest significance, a group of twenty-three ragged survivors arrive from the town of Ecru in the Hollow Hills. The tale they tell is hauntingly familiar to the survivors from Phaendar--a black stone tower suddenly appeared in the middle of the town, from which hordes of hobgoblins poured forth. The survivors fled for safety as their town burned behind them.
Eventually, Cobb Greenleaf calls you into the tower for a meeting. "As we've begun pacifying the forest and rounding up the scattered remains of the Ironfang Legion here, reports keep coming in from the Hollow Hills to the west of aggressive hobgoblin activity. A few more refugees trickle in every day from communities and caravans put to the sword. If we keep absorbing exiles at this rate, we soon won't be able to feed or house them all. It's becoming increasingly obvious that the Legion's attack on the Fangwood was a diversion to keep our Rangers from engaging their main forces to the west. Now it sounds as if they've secured the whole of the Nesmian Plains and are reaching north of the Marideth River.
"We're still reeling from our own losses, but we need more intelligence if we’re going to keep the Legion out of the Fangwood, let alone push back. We know almost nothing about the Ironfang Legion's activities beyond the local lieutenant's name: Kosseruk. She's seized dozens of villages at this point—the closest is Radya's Hollow, a mining village only thirty miles due west. We've not received any word back from the messengers we've dispatched to the largest town in the area, Longshadow, but whether that's because it's fallen or because our messengers have been captured, I'm unsure.
"The Rangers can keep the forest secure for now, but we don't have the power to offset a major offensive if they finish in the Hills and turn east. If anyone is going to stop the Ironfang Legion, we need to know what they're up to, and we need new allies and resources."
Rogar shrugs, "Ah'm ready ta go when ye all are."
The black tower again! "This black tower must be some sort of magical effect — obviously a very powerful one!", he commented to the others.
Wulfram listened to Cobb's assessment. He looked at their maps and said, "We need to find out if Longshadow is still holding out; I think we should go ourselves and make our assessment first hand. We could make our way through the forest to its edge near Redburrow, and then strike out east through hills towards Longshadow."
He would have like to stay at the fort for a while, and be a little more settled, but that didn't seem like a good idea. He wondered when he wouldn't have to be constantly on the move.
Eustoma spends her time making armor for Sia and helping where she can to set up the refugees for comfort.
Eustoma will share what she knows about the area. "Lots of mining and small communities out there. As well as Longshadow one of the larger towns around here. We should check on this soon. I suggest we start with Radayra's Hollow, and then move on to Longshadow. I'm ready when you all are."
When you are ready, you leave Fort Trevalay, heading west through the Fangwood towards the Hollow Hills. The first day passes without incident, and after camping in the woods, you continue your journey the next day.
You are nearing the edge of the forest when you hear the sounds of laughter and lyre music in the distance. Following the sounds leads you to a clearing. A massive tree stump rises from the center of the clearing. Its surface is polished smooth and set with cups, plates, and pitchers all carved from wood. Fruits, roasted meats, cheeses, and red wine overflow the serving dishes.
Four half-naked and exhausted dwarves, three male and one female, sit around the table, feasting and drinking. A fifth figure--a beautiful woman--dances around the table playing a lyre. "Feast on, my friends! Eat and drink to your heart's content! Your bellies will be fat and your heads will be buzzing!" the woman cheers.
When they notice you, the dwarves beckon you forward. "Come, friends, and join in the fun!" one calls.
"Aye, the more, the merrier!" the woman shouts, eyes sparkling.
"Aye, lass, we're fantastic!" another dwarf replies. "Never better! Why don't ye come get a taste of this? The food I mean, of course!" He laughs pats the ground next to him, wiggling his eyebrows suggestively.
The forest clearing seemed to Wilfram to be a strange setting for such an elaborate celebration. Something about it reminded him of the fey that they had encountered at the Red Rock Revel at Fort Ristin. He wondered if the lyre-playing was some sort of magical effect.
"Hello, my name is Wulfram of Phaendar. We are looking for news of the town of Longshadow. We have heard it might be under attack!"
"Who cares about Longshadow? We've got all the food, drink, and entertainment you need here!" says the first dwarf again.
"They speak the truth, my friends," the dancing woman says with a giggle. "Forget about your worries and your strife and join the fun!"
Creatures of unbridled violence and decadence, maenads roam the world inviting others to join in on their debased revels. They consume massive amounts of wine and food, cause fights, and tear their foes limb from limb. They control people’s minds, subconsciously inviting them to engage in their bloody festivities and fostering urges that lead to excesses of hunger, lust, anger, and violence.
Eustoma studies the group. "That looks wonderful, but we just ate thank you. Are you from a local mine?"
Wulfram's expression hardened. "Madam, I see that you are a maenad, and that you are controlling these dwarves' minds to make them stay and take part in your bloody, debased revels! I must insist that you release them immediately!"
With that, he cast a protection spell.
"Aye, Radya's Hollow!" the female dwarf answers Eustoma.
The woman's smile turns malicious as Wulfram calls her out. "I am only enhancing what already lies beneath the surface. Shall we see what sorts of dark emotions lurk within you? Come, join the bacchanal! Eat! Drink! Tear each other apart!"
She strums frantically on her lyre, her dance becoming frenzied!
The maenad tries to ensnare Wulfram's mind with a charm spell, but his magic circle protects him! Even so, the maenad's dance is infectious, and you feel the madness threatening to overwhelm your senses.
The dwarves hesitate, but their eyes start to glaze over as the maenad's dancing affects them.
Rogar tries to resist the power of the maenad's dance, but succumbs to it, punching himself in his face to absolutely no use.
Rogar, without a moment to spare, pulls endless shards of metal from the ground beneath him, launching them at the monster in an endless barrage.
Wulfram felt the urge join in the festivities, but fought it off. He started to cast a lengthy spell.
Eustoma babbles.
Sia slashes at herself, and causes some damage.
Rogar, Eustoma, and the animals succumb to the maenad's maddening dance. They babble or pummel themselves, heedless of the danger.
Karla conjures a stinking cloud that engulfs the maenad. You can hear her retching from within the noxious morass.
Wulfram begins to chant a lengthy spell, calling on the spirits for strength.
The maenad staggers out of the cloud, gasping for air. She continues her strange dance, though, ensuring the confusion persists.
Rogar calls out some incoherent babble in a mixture between dwarven, common, and goblin.
To Wulfram, it seemed like everything around him got smaller; everyone else saw him grow to 13 ft tall. Empowered by Karla's spell, he quickly thrust his massive 20 ft spear repeatedly at the malevolent maenad, trying to stop her control over the others.
Overcoming her confusion temporarily, Eustoma fires at the maenad, scoring two hits. Wulfram swells in size and, bolstered by Karla's haste spell, stabs at the monstrous woman.
He impales her three times with his enchanted spear, and she groans and sags to the ground. The end of her dance breaks the confusion effect on you, and the four dwarves seem to snap to their senses as well.
"Oi, what the hell were we doing?" one asks.
"That fey witch must've enchanted us!" another says. "Thank ye folks fer saving us! I'm Duggin, and that's Solba, Margrath, and J.W. We was fleein' from an army of hobgoblins that invaded Radya's Hollow, but we got lost in these durned woods. The last few days have just been a drunken blur."
Rogar shakes his head to clear the last of the confusion, then moves forward to meet the dwarves, "Good ta meet ye," he says, "Ah'm Rogar, tha's Wulfram, Karla, Eus'oma, Sia, an' Nik'o. Are ye all safe? Ye mentioned hobgoblins in Radya's Hollow- were there many survivors? We were jus' on our way ta help them defend agains' tha hobs, bu' I guess we're too late."
Pele climbed out of Wulfram's backpack and looked down from his lofty shoulders. *Whoa!*
Margrath shakes his head sadly. "Aye, it's too late I fear. The hobs control all th' lands south of th' Marideth River, and they've begun seizing towns in th' Hollow Hills. Radya's Hollow had already absorbed dozens of survivors of previous attacks when the Legion fell upon us."
"Thar may still be survivors. Ye gotta go there and look for 'em!" Solba cries. "Me brother Voldan fell behind when we were running away. I hafta know if he's alive! We buried some treasure outside our house before the gobbos came. It's yours if you want it!"
Wulfram conversed with the tiny dwarves (he shrank back to normal size shortly thereafter). "We will seek out the survivors. Do you have suggestions on where they might have hidden?"
After discussing the refugees, Wulfram asked, "Do you know if Longshadow is still holding out?"
"If anybody made it, they probably would've tried to hide in the mine," Solba says. The other dwarves make superstitious gestures when she mentions it. "The primary mine closed a decade ago when a deadly collapse killed a dozen workers, and when they tried to reopen it, thar were all sorts of strange accidents! But better to risk that then death or slavery to the gobbos!"
Duggin shrugs when Wulfram asks about Longshadow. "Too far away to know fer sure. I hope so, fer their sake!"