Kinning is not as careful as she should be while lighting the stump remover, causing it to flash the party. Arun takes the worst of it. Khaz quickly heals him and waits for Brunner to assist Arun to safety.
As they retreat, a hobgoblin stops in the middle of the bridge and yells out "COWARDS!!! You can't run from us! We will..." His dialogue is interrupted by a sudden boom that rattles the foundation of the bridge. The forty hobgoblin eyes suddenly flash fear as the ground underneath them begins to sway. The majority fall to the ground. The rest sprint for safe land, but it is too late...
The blast blows the retreating group to the ground. You think to yourself...It should have taken longer to blow. You realize how lucky you actually were that it did not explode when lit.
Without the support of the wooden frame, the bridge lists heavily to the North. Within seconds, the ground literally drops out from underneath the hobgoblins. They are plunged headlong into the rushing water while stone debris crashes down on them.
The entire party stands stunned for a moment before they finally turn to see what is left of the bridge and the town where many of them called home...
A ceiling of smoke hangs over the city, reflecting the orange glow from burning houses. Ash drifts in the air like falling snow. The screams of townsfolk have died away, leaving an eerie silence broken now and then by the howling of wolves or the harsh tones of the Goblin tongue. Bodies lie in the streets, sprawled in pools of blood where they fell. It seems everyone else in town may be imprisoned or dead except for the hobgoblin invaders. Phaendar has fallen.
END OF PART ONE!
Jean-Pierre shakes his head.
"This one notes that this group has been lucky. Still, Hobgoblins are tenacious; they will eventually send someone to investigate where this group ended up. This one suggests heading for the forest, finding somewhere defensible, and trying to accumulate what is necessary for survival, before deciding what to do next. Are there any suggestions on where to go?"
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Arun has some knowledge of this area, having passed through as a younger man. He strokes his chin, and muses.
"It has to be the forest. THose hobgoblins won't be held back for long by the river, and once they are across they'll have wolves to chase us down. On the roads or the plains, these folk" here he gestures at the townsfolk behind, "would be picked off like sheep. No, it has to be the forest. There's cover, there's game, and there's the chance that we can reach out to the Nirmathis armed forces to find a more secure stronghold to escape to."
Arun looks back at the ruined town. "All gone. That's their whole lives, and many of their relatives, too. I'm not clear if these were bandits, or if this is a fresh Molthunian attack, but it matters little to our sorry band. We need to get them to safety. They are our responsibility, for now."
"Kahz, I own you my life for bestowing Torag's grace on me at the bridge. Thank you. Are you now out of healing powers? I note that several of the townsfolk are injured, and we need everyone well to make this march. Is there anything you can do for them?" Turning to the two rangers we rescued, " Can you two please go on ahead and ensure our path is clear? Bahran, are you able to ride ahead with them? We can ill-afford an ambush."
He sets his harms on his hips, thinking. "What have I missed?"
Bahram looks back breifly over the ruined town, casting his mind back to his men and the town they defended, fearing for them. With a shake of his head he pulls himself back to the present.
We need to keep these folk moving, if they stop to think now we have lost them.
Nodding at Arun's suggestion the Keleshite raises his voice
"Into the forest, everyone into forest! We can lick our wounds when we are safe!"
Or dead, kambag'al jazosi.
Chirk follows Bahram into the forest, guessing its safe since some of the townsfolk he knows are with them.
Aubrin speaks up. "The road leads to Tamran. It is one of the larger cities, but it would take weeks to get there. The mage here has it right. The road is littered with bandits and we would be easy pickings for any Hobgoblin scouting parties..." Kit agrees, "I think we need to go deeper into the woods and try to wait out the army. Surely they will move on before long." Aubrin nods at Kit, "I agree. Northeast of here there is a grove with a creek for fresh water and sufficient game for food. I say we head for there." Her legs collapse under her, causing her to cling to Kit. "We need to find somewhere to sleep for the night."
"Ach! Stuck in the woods like an elf. I say we make for Kraggodan or Glimmerhold. We can...follow the river? I think. Right, Brunner?"
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"Food, water, and cover from wolves, who travel faser than us up and down the road. That's what we need now - somewhere safe to hold up whilst we understand where safety can be found. The forest is where we need to head." Thinking quickly for something that might sway Khaz, he adds, "We might find caves in the forest...?"
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"Never Hide in the wilds as a boy, friends? Enough talk."
Khaz sighed. "Aye then. Into the the woods." Then to console himself he added "Torag made the entire world, nay jus' the mountains. The trees be jus as much his creation."
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Hey GM Mason - any update for us on whether you will be able to revive this game?
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