:: Lamashan 29 - Late Afternoon - Caveholm::
Herge bows a little and smiles, staying silent while introduced. "I hadn't realized you removed the troglodytes. That's a kindness to the area for sure." Herge says.
The council comes out. Aubrin looks Herge up and down and asks you to explain what happened on your trip. After you provide the background of what happened, Aubrin speaks, "Well met Herge. We will gladly accept your help. We have too many to feed, keep warm, and in good health and learning how to get along better would be amazing."
Rhyna seems very interest in Herge as she speaks up, "You are more than welcome to stay inside with us, though we will need your help to make room for you."
"That is fine Rhyna. I will make do out here, and not put you out at all. In fact I think I will go find a suitable place to setup a place to stay." Herge nods and slowly departs.
With Herge gone, Aubrin continues "So you've set out once again and come back successful. The owlbears will leave us alone for a time and Herge will help us become better at surviving here peacefully." Aubrin clears her throat a bit and looks a mite sheepish. "We have been discussing what to do next while you were gone, asking for peoples opinions. We would like it if you were to head back to the Ranger's Fort you found and try to figure out why the fey are there. We need a real place to last through the winter. Most of us will survive here but the rains and the damp make the caves prone to illness. We can't heat or circulate air very well either."
"We won't force you to it." Rhyna chimes in "We are grateful for everything you've done so far, and you do deserve a break. We wouldn't be in nearly as good a position as we are now with out you... and the others." Her voice falters a bit, realizing that those who brought them here are actually gone except for Elyas.
Kining, "Yorc, Taidel, Lirosa, Lorne, Kaleb, and Jenniffer all want to go with you. Or go on their own if you want a break. Either way we need to fully scout the Fort and try to claim it for our own. If it's fey in there then we likely stand a good chance, they can never do anything together."
The council members, and the small group around you, all fall silent and wait to see what you have to say.
The half-joking mood Nyakala was in earlier dissipates instantly at Aubrin's request. Her fists clench, and she forces herself to take several deep breaths, faint puffs of darkness flowing in and out of her nose. Really? They expect me to– Not again. Not– But how am I ever going to face the Fangwood if I can't do this?
Nyakala realizes no one else has answered yet and finally brings herself to speak. "Fine. We'll take the fort. Or I'll help, at least. And everyone who wants to come should join us, I want all the fighting strength we can get."
Annelise isn't thrrilled either at the idea she's being asked to drive out (read: kill) the fey, however evil they may be. She's had her fill of killing and murder back in Nidal, and she knows that there is a part of her deep down that rather enjoys it. She looks deeply uneasy, but she nods in agreement with the request. "OK, I'll help wit this. But Nyakala's right, we will take all the help we can get!"
Lyndis simply nods, as Nyakala and Annelise have already said everything she would.
"I just hope they're actual help and not people we'll need to protect...", she thinks to herself.
"I am happy to check out the fort. we need to know what happened there, and we still don't know if that fortification is owned by a friend or foe. We will need ot be careful, but the information will be very valuable either way. we may not be able to storm a foort even with some help, but we need to know what the deal is there.
:: Lamashan 29 - Late Afternoon - Caveholm::
Aubrin and Rhyna look relieved. Kining nods to the group, "Aside from trying to keep everyone dry and well kept in a fort, we are also very at risk here. We can hear some noises occasionally from past the blockages in the lower tunnel. And there's only one way out, it would be trivial for a group of ten or so hobgoblins to barricade us in and smoke us out or simply starve us."
With the conversation moving on, everyone except the guards moves back indoors. When you enter the cave you notice that it is really beginning to smell of human, more so than normal, and that it feels more damp than outside.
A brief conversation with the others indicates that you will head out in the morning after a chance to rest and refit your gear.
"Best keep sentries posted and food stockpiled then," Nyakala tells Kining. "We'll try to handle things at the fort as quickly as possible."
Later, as the party and its temporary additions prepare for their expedition, she flatly asks everyone, "So who here has dealt with fey before?"
"I've never dealt with them directly, but I've heard stories from those who have. I think we should consider how we plan to eliminate the basidirond at the gate first, however - it's a plant, not a fey, and thus might be more easily dealt with."
Annelise frowns slightly. "I'm not worried about a plant, we can alwasy outrun it. I'm worreid that fighting it will raise the alarm and the otehrs will attack us while we're trying to fight the plant. Maybe we could try going over teh wall at some other point? The gate seems quite wll guarded right now. We can always burn the plant once we've done everthihng else."
Never dealt with the fey myself. i agree that we should try to get around the plant without drawing attention if we can. just remember, we still don't know who is in control of that fort. they could be allies. we should not just go in fighting
"I have a levitation spell I could use to send someone over the wall, if we go with that plan, just let me know in advance.", Lyndis says, trying to recall anything she read about fey or basidironds.
"I believe we should consult Herge or Longfrond beforehand, as well, they might have important information or even be on friendly terms with the fey, I wouldn't want to spoil the alliance we just made."
Nyakala gives Elyas a dark look. "They covered the fort in mutilated corpses and left a hidden plant monster at the door. I don't want them as allies even if that's possible. And fey can be quite deceptive. The safest way to deal with them is to do it quickly, before they've had a chance to trick you."
"I agree with Annelise, we should look for other ways and try to take them by surprise. I could levitate a few people as well if necessary. As for Herge, I expect he'd have said something when I asked for lessons in fighting fey, if he was really friends with them."
Carthas goes looking for where Herge is setting up camp. ”Herge, while we were exploring the forest, we encountered a fort that was used by the Chernasardo Rangers. It had been taken over by hobgoblins, but when we got there, there were mitigated hobgoblin corpses hanging from the walls and we heard what sounded like it might be fey laughing. Do you know anything of fey that might be in the forest?”
Charles listens to the conversation, chiming in before Herge is involved.
"there may be another way in. I would guess the fey are not the most disciplined guards, a rope over the side may well do the trick. Though I tend to like to go into things though the front door this may mot be the time. I am not sure if my silver blade is the best choice, I have heard that fey can be hard to damage but I do not know what is needed."
Elyas shakes his head.
If the fort really is full of fey instead of hobs or humans, going over the wall before we know what we're getting into would be a bad idea. fey sound to be much more dangerous than a normal foe, I would not want to find myself surrounded by them. perhaps we would be better off announcing ourselves and asking to parlay?
if we stay outside the walls we still have the opportunity to retreat if they are not peaceful. barging in and attacking an unknown foe on their turf seems very dangerous.
Elyas tries to shake off the memories of the last blind assault on a fortification that left all of his companions dead...
"We can figure out a way to scout the fort before attacking, but I still think there's no point trying to negotiate," Nyakala responds to Elyas. "Even if they don't attack us I don't see why they'd just give us the fort, and we'd be throwing away the element of surprise. If you're set on 'asking to parlay' I won't stop you, but I'll be hidden far away when you try."
:: Lamashan 29 - Late Afternoon - Chatting in the Cave::
"I don't think any of us have directly dealt with the fey before." Lorne says.
Yorc, "I know that the Ironfang Legion was going to send someone to negotiate with them, but from what you've explained before it sounds like they either didn't or it didn't end well."
Nyakala and Lyndis think over what they know of the fey. Many Fey are resistant to regular weapons though cold iron can pierce their defenses. Some are also resistant to magic and many have spells or abilities of their own to bring to bear. By far their greatest strength, and their greatest weakness, is their capricious nature.
.
:: Lamashan 29 - Late Afternoon - Herge's Camp::
Carthas heads out of the cave looking for Herge, and he is easier to find than expected. Herge looks up and greets Carthas as he enters the small clearing. At Carthas' question Herge's face turns grim.
"I had heard rumours that the Ranger's were put out of there. They sent out their rallying cry too late it seems or just didn't expect an attack so deep into the forest as winter is setting in." Herge sighs, "If what you say of the sounds from the fort are true, it may be the local Korreds. There is a nasty brute of one, Halk, that would have enjoyed storming the fort and then calling for a Red Rock Revel. Weeks of drinking and partying and, under him, dashing the bodies and blood of their foes across the stones of the fort. Most of the other fey in the area aren't aggressive on that scale to take the fort."
Carthas thinks on what he knows of Korreds before asking, "Do you think they'd be amenable to negotiating leaving the fort, or would they have to be forced out. If they have to be forced out, would that offend you or Longfrond?"
Elyas shakes his head.
If the fort really is full of fey instead of hobs or humans, going over the wall before we know what we're getting into would be a bad idea. fey sound to be much more dangerous than a normal foe, I would not want to find myself surrounded by them. perhaps we would be better off announcing ourselves and asking to parlay?
if we stay outside the walls we still have the opportunity to retreat if they are not peaceful. barging in and attacking an unknown foe on their turf seems very dangerous.
Annelise gives a slight half smile. "I can go invisible with magic, or better yet, turn someone else inviisible so they can scout." She rolls her shoulders in a shrug. "But I've had some success being stealthy even without going invisible, so maybe I'm the best suited to scouting. But if someone else wants to put themsevls in harm's way instead of me, I won't stop them!"
:: Lamashan 29 - Late Afternoon - Herge's Camp - Carthas::
Herge looks at Carthas for a moment, a thoughtful expression on his face. "It depends." Herge says, "Longfrond and I want what is best for the forest, but there are many bests out in front of us. The way to get there is not to worry about what we think, but to act how you think we would want to act. Neither I nor Longfrond shy away from violence, trickery, or coercion. There is nothing wrong with those things. What you need to remember is why you are using them."
"If you wish to kill the korred's and take the fort because you despise them or crave violence, that would cause a problem. Wanton, needless killing is wasteful. If you feel you must kill them to avenge your fallen Ranger's, it is understandable though not a great thing to do."
"If you examine the situation and think that the korred's led by Halk are merely a disaster waiting to happen, since they seem to have a lust for blood, and that you could more safely and carefully house your own in the fort, that seems a worthwhile goal."
Herge looks seriously at Carthas now, "Your intentions will be made clear by your actions when you go to see the fort. Each of those scenarios will lend itself to a different outcome, and it will be plain for all to see what you've chosen. The outcome may be nearly the same but why you did it matters."
Herge is silent for a moment, then smiles "I will speak to Aubrin in the morning about teaching those who go out hunting and gathering how to only take what they need and not damage the surrounding area. Laying waste to everything just for some food makes no sense when you can carefully harvest the area and improve its yield for the next season."
.
:: Lamashan 29 - Late Afternoon - Chatting in the Cave - Everyone Except Carthas ::
Taidel and Lirosa perk up a bit as Annelise speaks. Lirosa, "I think Taidel and I would be more than willing to go over the wall. Sounds like a good opportunity for some adventure."
Lorne shakes his head.
Carthas remembers that Korreds are a rock loving race of fey, with tough hides that cold iron penetrates and a resistance to magic. Their hair acts as though alive, entangling enemies and their very laughter freezes the weak in their place. In combat korreds are deft and nimble.
Carthas nods slowly at Herge's words. "I understand. Perhaps we shall approach the fort and spend more time studying it and trying to determine how great a threat Halk and his korreds are to us. Thank you, Herge."
Carthas bids Herge farewell and returns to the others, where he says, "Herge suspects that the fey that took the fort are a group of Korreds led by one called Halk. Korreds are a rock-loving race of fey, possessed of tough hides that are penetrated by cold iron and resistant to magic. Their hair can entangle foes and moves as though alive. Hearing their laughter can freeze the weak-minded in place, and they are deft and nimble. Once we approach the fort, we should take the time to gather as much information as possible from outside the fort. If we are discovered sneaking into the fort, it will most likely mean a fight, and death for a lone scout."
Annelise frwowns. "Resistant to magic? I don't like the sound of that." The rest of the plan sounds good to her.
"So a bunch of fey took over our rangers' fort to have a party?! I don't know much about the fey, but is there a chance that once they have their fun they'll just... I don't know, leave?
"of course there's probably no way to know for sure. and if they do leave and the Hobs take over the fort, we'll be in just as bad a spot. maybe there is something else they want that we can negotiate with. a group that could kill everyone in the fort is not something to be taken lightly
Nyakala sighs. "We'll see how things look when we get there. I still think we'll have to storm the place, but if you want to risk your own skin trying diplomacy you're welcome to."
:: Lamashan 29 - Late Afternoon - Caveholm::
As the discussion dies down, everyone goes about preparing for the next day and the trip to Fort Ristin
.
:: Lamashan 31 - Early Afternoon - Fort Ristin::
Having set out on the day before with nice weather, the steady down pour of rain today has the group a bit down. While travelling, Carthas has been watching the weather and predicts a cold snap over night with heavy snow in the morning. That news brings a new sense of urgency to everyone.
Knowing where to go, you make better time than before and reach Fort Ristin in the early afternoon two days out from Caveholm. Taidel and Lirosa quickly head off to scout the fort while everyone else looks for a sheltered spot to wait.
About a half hour later Taidel and Lirosa come back.
Lirosa, "The gate looks like it is covered in vines and plants, but there doesn't seem to be any new corpses. The wall on the north side is destroyed though. The stones are pushed into the courtyard and part of the northeast tower is fallen in. We could hear some fey but they seem pretty subdued right now."
"maybe the fey will get bored and move on from here if they are less wild now than before. hard to predict what they will do. if the wall is busted, that's probably our best way in. we can head there and see what we're able to see. and be ready for a fight if they don't want to talk with us first
"The break in the wall seems like the way to go, yes. I'll hang back while you try to talk and come help when things break down."
Unless anyone objects Nyakala has Taidel and Lirosa lead the group around to the north side, remaining hidden in the trees as they move. Once in position she prepares for battle, dissolving most of her body into a humanoid column of darkness with a swirling base and small shields floating around her. She also wraps several strands of darkness around Carthas' arms, effectively providing him with external muscles that enhance his strength.
When the party advances towards the fort Nyakala follows around 100 feet behind whoever's in the lead.
Carthas drinks an extract to cause his skin to take on a slightly wooden appearance. He doesn't do anything else, simply because he wants to take care in his approach. "Be on the lookout for basidironds or other plant creatures, as well." He also describes a basidirond, and takes his own advice as he approaches the hole in the wall.
Elyas readies his sword, watching for trouble. he casts a protective spell on himself
:: Lamashan 31 - Early Afternoon - Fort Ristin::
The northeastern tower of the fort has collapsed onto the northern wall, scattering chunks of stone across the area and knocking a ten-foot-wide gap in the wall. A massive keep looms over the courtyard beyond the gap.
Approaching the fallen wall, Yorc looks over the debris, "I will keep watch out here and make sure you have an escape route through here if you need one. I can't climb that rubble. I'll scout north of here and keep an eye out for others coming in," Yorc moves off through the trees a bit further north, screening you from the forest.
Taidel points toward the gap in the wall, "There's the gap, and there's likely someone guarding it. We saw movement in the area when we scouted earlier, I can't see them now though."
The rubble pile is about five or six feet tall, broken rocks and debris haphazardly strewn about. Footing would be tricky and now overly quiet.
You also notice a door near the top of the destroyed tower, leading into the third level. You'd need to get onto the wall rubble, climb up about fifteen more feet of fallen tower, and then scale another fifteen feet up the fractured wall to get to it.
Lirosa nods to the door at the top of the tower. "Some of us could likely get up there if there was a distraction at the wall breach. Tossing a rope down would make it doable for anyone else."
You can hear the sounds of drinking and carousing, though it seems somewhat subdued compared to last time you were here.
"I'll try to get a better view."
Lyndis closes her eyes, focusing and muttering a few arcane words in elvish before disappearing.
Elyas hangs back. he is not a great option for climbing or stealth, and will leave that to the experts before trying to join in.
"getting someone up there with a rope may be our best option. anyone else have any alternative ideas, or do we go with that?
Nyakala remains far behind the others, hiding behind the corner of the northernmost watchtower. She listens for any signs of life within the tower as she waits for the others to scout the fort itself.
Carthas moves closer to the tower, but before he begins trying to climb the rubble, he scans the hole, searching for any signs of a guard.
:: Lamashan 31 - Early Afternoon - Fort Ristin::
Levitating over the wall, Lyndis can see small groups of small humanoids with long hair and bears, skinny legs and arms. When told about them, Carthas recognizes them as korreds.
Nyakala and Carthas look around the opening, and notice two korreds standing on either side.
All the korreds seem to be drinking, and somewhat inebriated. The stones inside the fort are coloured a deep red.
"Seems like they're celebrating their last slaughter or something.", she says, levitating down again. "I can summon something big to create a distraction if you want."
"well, we know what we're dealing with now. now is the time to decide. do we treat with them and give them a chance to leave peacefully, or do we strike fast and surprise them while they are partying? I think we should at least try talking to them, but I will go with what the majority wants
"I believe I have made my position clear," Nyakala's voice whispers in the ears of the party. "Let us take the fort and be done with this."
"I'm usually on the side of diplomacy but I don't think we'll ever reach a compromise with them that doesn't involve a lot of blood."
Annelsie scowsl as she joins the others. "That'a a lot of enemies. The advantage of surprse is prety much all we have." She gestures forwrad. "Shall we?"
"Remember, they resist magic, and their skin resists all blades save those of cold iron. Their laughter can also freeze you in place, and they will try to entangle you in their hair. Perhaps, if we strike quickly and hard enough, we can convince them they are better off fleeing than fighting. Negotiating from a position of strength."
Carthas drinks an extract, and his muscles bulk up a bit, increasing his strength. He then drinks another, and a floating shield appears before him.
"very well, let's do it then. Elyas stays close with Carthas, sword and shield ready. he casts Magic Weapon on his sword
"No need to wait, lets get to it. Over the wall, thought the gate. However you want my sword to go just point the way."
Clearly Charles is looking for some action after so much time walking in the woods.
With the decision to attack made, Nyakala advances past Yorc to join the main group and prepares to begin casting.
:: Lamashan 31 - Early Afternoon - Fort Ristin::
The group prepares or battle and begins to engage!
As soon as those ahead of her begin their attack, Nyakala raises a hand and flings an orb of darkness at the korred on the western side of the break in the wall. She tries to guide the sphere to surround the fey's head and block their sight, while also using it to scan her target's thoughts.
Nyakala follows this attack up with another casting of the same spell, targeting the same korred if her first attempt didn't succeed and the guard on the other side of the breach if it did. She then uses her enhanced speed to advance most of the way to the wall to the west of the collapsed section.
Carthas drinks his dendrite mutagen, shifting and warping into something almost plant-like.
Carthas advances towards the nearest korred, longspear out.