+1 Longbow on Green, Point-blank Shot
The Spriggan tries to club Grenwold as he approaches.
Grenwold weaves out of the way, then urges Fenton up and stabs the Spriggan in the guts before clobbering him on his ribs.
Hedran runs the Spriggan through with his scimitar.
Robert shoots at the green Spriggan, wounding it badly but it still remains standing.
Ratel moves up to the Spriggan and tries to punch it, and the Spriggan in trying to trip Ratel ends up on the floor instead.
He then orders Bear to go after the Spriggan. The Spriggan tries to swipe at Bear from being prone, but misses.
Bear finishes off the Spriggan with one swipe of his claws.
In death, the spriggan corpses shrink to their normal size and the party retrieves 1 small leather armor, one small masterwork morningstar, one small light crossbow and 20 bolts from each of their bodies.
Father Noelan channels twice, then heals Hedran a little more.
The party manages to get to Fort Trevalay without further incident.
A wide river has carved a gorge fifty feet deep through the forest. The gorge splits around a pillar of dark rock three hundred feet long and over a hundred feet wide. Sprawling atop this pillar is a compound consisting of several stone buildings and a few partially assembled war machines, all enclosed by twelve-foot-high walls ringing the plateau. A tall, wide tower with small windows looms to the northeast. Water pours steadily from a massive hole smashed through an upper wall. Three bridges made of thick ropes and heavy planks span the gorge: one to the north side of the gorge, a second to the west, and third to the south. These bridges lead to gaps in the stone wall surrounding the fort. Pointing at the fort, Cirieo tells the party, "That's For Trevalay. And it looks like it's been taken by the Ironfang Legion." He sighs.
The Fort is made out of light gray stone atop the darker stone of the pillar at the center of the gorge. The buildings within the fort are 10 feet high except for the main tower, which rises to a height of 45 feet. Although the buildings are made of stone, their roofs are rough-hewn wood shingles. The stone curtain wall around the fort is 12 feet high and rises from the edge of the stone pillar upon which the fort is built. Although there is no walkway atop the curtain wall (unlike the other two Ranger forts), defenders can stand atop the fort’s buildings to look out over the walls. The exterior walls are 2 feet thick, while interior walls are 1 foot thick. Climbing any wall within the fort requires a successful DC 20 Climb check.
The northern and southern bridges are guarded by two hobgoblins wielding longbows.
"Thank you father."
Hedran uses a peral to get back a shield and while healing or planing fills his {mpty spell slot with another shield.
I don't feel as brave as I did with weasel.
Smiling as Bear finishes the spriggan, Ratel pets him saying, "Who's a good boy? Bear's a good boy!"
Seeing the fort, he let's out a grunt. Asking Cirieo, "Any chance their is a secret entrance."
"I trained at Fort Ristin," Cirieo explains. " I only roughly know where the Forts are. If there is a secret entrance to Fort Trevalay, I don't know about it."
"He was brave companion that will be sorely missed." Father Noelan commiserates.
"Yeah that black dragon ate my friend Errol. I've had this hole in my heart ever since."Cirieo says sadly. "At least you managed to get even with Weasel's killer. I haven't. At least not yet."
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With the Spriggans defeated, Nigel sets about harvesting their pituitaries, as well as itemising their equipment.
Nigel holds aloft the Minor Ring of Acid Resistance.
"Ratel, no-one else spoke up about vanting zis, so I guess it is yours."
Glancing around the exterior of the Fort, Nigel frowns.
"I am suspicious of ze fact zat ze zird bridge is 'unguarded'... doubly so, since zere vas a sketch of a set up just like zis at ze 'troll fort', outlining a plan to storm it, via either ze North, or South route, specifically ignoring ze zird option. Ze North has more cover, so if ve vere going to pick a side to charge from, zat is ze one zat I vould recommend."
"We should be careful. Cicero said that the Legion has a Black Dragon, that we haven't run into yet. It may be here."
As he accepts the ring from Nigel, placing it on his finger. Hearing Cirieo lament about his lost friend, Ratel, nods in understanding, "Stick with us Cirieo we will help you avenge Errol."
”I mean, I thought that Fort Trevalay was the most defensible of them all…so even if the Ironfang Legion came, they’d be able to fend them off, and now…” Cirieo looks in the direction of the hobgoblins guarding the bridge, biting his lip. ”Maybe Grenwold was right. Maybe I shouldn’t have tried to deceive myself that we’d find the rest of the Chersarnado Rangers, and then they would kick the Ironfang legion out and get the Fangwood under control again.”
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Nigel sighs, as he listens to Cirieo.
"Ve all need our dreams. Zey are vhat keeps us going. Just because ze Legion has taken all of ze forts, doesn't mean zat ze Rangers are gone - you vere all accomplished voodsmen, after all, so even if your strongholds vere taken, presumably at least some of you managed to escape into ze forest, or vere taken prisoner, like you vere. In time, I am sure zat you vill be able to rebuild."
"Structures and institutions can be rebuilt. But living people are needed to do so. Your compatriots know this. We may still find them alive. Don't loses hope."
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Nigel nods.
"Vell said, Hedran. Of course, it does look like a vell defended structure; ze hobgoblins are certainly much more organised zan ze Fey or Trolls vere. I zink zat it might be time to get a... little experimental."
So saying, he pulls out his portable alchemist's kit, and starts mixing together extracts of some of the preserved bio-specimens that he has acquired, before infusing them into salty water, and loading them into syringes...
Grenwold approaches Cireo after being reminded that his companion was killed by a dragon. "Cireo, my companion was killed by a minion of the legion as well. He is still with me in spirit. I know how you feel. I also know that much of my family has been taken and enslaved by the legion in Phaendar, and I had hoped that we could rally the Chernasardo to help take back the town and drive out the villains. Now it seems the best I can hope for is to help you get a measure of justice."
He looks sadly at the Fort, "I was not right. You were, to hold out hope. And they may have gone into the trees. Not all is lost. We rescued you, after all, and we've made good time getting here. Your company has not fallen until the last person who believes in a free Nirmathas has fallen, and that won't happen on our watch. Even if we are not conscripted, we are Chernasardo in spirit." He nods solemnly and attempts to hug Cireo.
”I was the only survivor of the hobgoblin attack on Fort Ristin. I don’t know if anyone made it out to the woods.” Cirieo laments. ”And in Fort Nunder, all we found were human bones.”
”I was a fool to keep clinging on to hope when I should have known there was none.” Cirieo says bitterly. ”I suppose the best I can get out of the situation is vengeance.”
”Hedran – what makes YOU think anyone managed to get to the woods? We’ve been going around the Fangwood but we never ran into any other Chenasardo Rangers.” Cirieo snaps.
”No it’s better to assume that they’re all dead then to have false hope and get it shattered again,” Cirieo mentions with a bleak expression on his face.
Cirieo lets Grenwold hug him, but doesn’t return the hug, staring at Fort Trevalay brokenly.
"We don't know if anyone survived the attack on Fort Trevalay, but surely the first Chenasardo Ranger had to come from somewhere. If you're the last of them...well whatever you need to help rebuild the organization, we will supply." Father Noelan promises Cirieo.
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Nigel sighs.
"Cirieo, I vish zat I could be more definitely positive, but I cannot; ve don't know for certain, one vay, or ze ozer. However, zat is ze point - ve *don't* know. On ze ozer hand, I saw ze Legion butcher my parents, and burn our tower to ze ground. My home is gone, and my family viz it; it is part of ze reason zat I hate ze Legion, and feel more comfortable around volves, zan people. In your case, zat may be true as vell, but ve don't know for certain. Even if you are one of ze last, zough, you can still rebuild; I am sure zat zere vill alvays be zose villing to take up ze mantle."
He then smiles.
"At ze very least, Aubrin is still around!"
”Cireo, nothing we say will really make you feel better or fix the situation, but we can prevent at least these Legion from further malfeasance. Let’s get to work.”
Grenwold prepares outside of the fort by doing preparatory spells.
"The Chenarsardo Rangers were my home and family after the Molthuni slaughtered my entire biological family." Cirieo states flatly."And we couldn't help Abby, that's why she had to retire... so that's one more thing we failed."
"Sometimes I wonder if I'm destined to see everyone I care for die."Cirieo sounds defeated.
"And at the end of the day, there is only duty left."He straightens himself and looks at the Fort.
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Nigel smiles sadly.
"After Phaendar fell, ve barely escaped by ze skin of our teeth. Ve tried to rescue as many as ve could, but zere vere just too many hobgoblins... and many citizens paid vith zeir lives, or vere captured. Even Fazer Noelan died, defending ze temple... but ve didn't give up on him. Aubrin prepared Gentle Repose, and ve took him along vith us, until ve found a vay to bring him back; his community needed him - not just his bow-arm, but as a symbol. Never give up. Vhilst zere is life, zere is hope; and you are still very much alive..."
"I suppose if given a chance..."Cirieo muses speculatively,"They'd be willing to come back. But bring back the dead? How is that even possible?"
"It can be done, but not at my current abilities. Besides, it requires a large diamond." He gives Nigel a quizzical look,"I hope you didn't bargain with any questionable beings for that elemental gem to bring me back."
"You died? But how are you now here? " Cirieo looks at Father Noelan incredulously.
"Yup, I did." Father Noelan shows an ugly scar from the top of his head to the base. "Took a couple of hobgoblins down with me, I hope. Though I never was sure of that one."
"But they started appearing at Sanctuary, telling me about a whole bunch of hobgoblins on the loose," Father Noelan continues. "I'm not really sure how they managed that one anyway. But long story short, they did find a way to bring me back,so here I am. Though I still don't feel very up to scratch these days."
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Nigel nods.
"It might be possible, but in Fazer Noelan's case, zere vere extenuating circumstances - ze body vas fresh vhen ve retrieved it, and essentially intact... more importantly, he vas also villing to come back. If ze same is true for any of your colleagues, ve can certainly try... but my hope is zat some of zem, at least, remain alive."
When Father Noelan mentions that he is still weak, Nigel winces.
"Ve vill have to see vhat ve can do about zat vhen ve get back to Misthome..."
When Father Noelan mentions 'bargaining with questionable beings', Nigel smirks.
"Vell, I wouldn't exactly call ze earth elemental Terbius 'questionable'; ve just had to best him in a friendly test of strength to acquire the jewel!"
Grenwold nods, ”The elemental powers that helped us weren’t malicious or anything. Like most outsiders, even the good ones, Terbius required payment for services. They were more than fair, and they work with the other refugees of Phaendar to keep Misthome safe. I never told you this Cireo, but my family that wasn’t captured by the Legion was driven northern Fangwood by Arlantea, the corrupted fey. Many of them perished in the fight or were corrupted. So please believe me when I say that I understand how you feel. I deal with it by compartmentalizing and holding on to what I still have. I still have my faith, my companion, and my new friends. And you still have us.”
"Where or what is Sanctuary?" Cirieo asks Father Noelan.
"Part of Erastil's domain, a small town in Heaven for those who have passed on." Father Noelan explains. "Not sure if you knew William, the previous priest of Erastil, but he's back in his beloved forest. Sometimes I wonder if he took me on just so he didn't have to deal with town administrative matters."
"So you mean that the tales of the Great Beyond are true? There's something else awaiting for us after we die?" Cirieo continues.
"Yes. I can confirm that for a fact." Father Noelan answers.
"Did you see any of my family or any Chernasardo Rangers?" Cirieo asks Father Noelan.
"Sorry, no." Father Noelan answers apologetically. "They might have been sent elsewhere, if they were worshiping halfling gods, and the Chernasardo Rangers might have been more comfortable in the woods."
"Or maybe they aren't there because they're still in Golarion." Father Noelan adds.
Cirieo "You are not wrong, everything looks dire. What has happened has happened so the dead are dead, but if there are survivors we have to move forward as if they may be alive. This is the only way to proceed. If there is an abduction, kidnapping, fort take over, a coup in a kingdom you always have to proceed under the assumption that people survive so that the actions you take are those that are most likely to maintain life."
"I'm sure they'd want to be brought back. I mean to continue the good fight..." Cirieo's voice trails off.
"Now I can heal myself, I think, but I'll need some diamond dust." Father Noelan mentions.
"An Earth Elemental? I didn't realize they held such powerful magic. " Father Noelan looks surprised. "And he gave you the jewel for beating him in a fight? I don't think I'll ever understand the ways of elementals."
"Did you manage to keep contact with any of your family in northern Fangwood? And who's Arlantea?" Cirieo asks Grenwold. "What exactly can she do?"
Grenwold says to Noelan: ”Neither did I, these troglodytes we met had a strong connection to the earth. They were fair, and just, and kind after a fashion. Shelyn is associated with the power of the air and is often followed by avian creatures, but I suppose there’s enough room in my life for an appreciation of all of the elements. I’m considering talking to Ighiz to see if we can imbue Fenton with a bit of the earth elemental survivability when we return to Misthome. I did a bit of thinking as we have been adventuring and have found that these elemental powers are interesting and helpful, and are an important part of the overal ecosystem of both Golarion and the planes. Hopefully she can help. Additionally, the fact that we have been able to gather a group of wildly disparate people together in one settlement and everyone helps each other is remarkable in it's own way, and is a bright spot in our difficult journey.”
He turns to Cireo, ”No, the people we left behind had already been killed or corrupted. All that we had left had gone to Phaendar. Nobody else would let us into town. We had hoped Phaendar would be safe, as far as it is from the threats, but it looks like we were wrong. That said, my people are resourceful and tough, and will make themselves useful to the occupying Legion forces for some time. We are more practical than other gnomes, out of necessity I suppose.” He sighs before continuing, ”as best as we could tell, Arlantea is some type of fey that had her connection to the land and the first world twisted and corrupted. She either originated, harnessed, or created the Darkblight, which is a virulent disease that primarily affects plants, animals, and fey creatures, though gnomes are particularly susceptible to its effect as humanoids. Some of us were especially resistant, though, and we managed to live long enough to escape. It can either kill you, or some sort of... spore thing can infest your brain and turn you into a slave of your darkest desires, with no regard for others beyond also infesting them with the Darkblight. The fey that get corrupted also sometimes have other diseases infesting them as well, as it apparently reduces your ability to fight infection. To live with this is a terrible, hate-filled existence, and to die of it is to die of tumerous agony. Remember when we were told about the diseased pixie? That is what concerns me most. Nirmathas and the Fangwood cannot fight a two-front war, on one side being attacked by the Legion and the other by Arlantea’a minions. Especially if the Chernasardo are weakened. That is why we need to rebuild and get some proper rangers and druids here again, even if it means recruiting from Misthome. And it’s why you can’t give up, Cireo. You know of the history and rituals better than most, and If we have little chance for hope now, we can’t get hopeful again without you. Let us take back this fort and see what happens.”
Robert puts a hand on Cicero's shoulder. "All may not be lost for the Rangers, either. Earlier, we found a note that read 'All foxes to their dens.' I think that means that the Rangers should scatter."
"Sorry, I don't get what you mean?" Cirieo tells Hedran.
"We've never heard of the darkblight in the Fangwood, or Arlantea. But maybe if Arlantea's goals were to corrupt everything with the Darkblight, then if her forces run into the Legion there would possibly be a fight between both factions, and perhaps once the dust is settled we might be able to take on the weakened winning faction."Cirieo speculates."Not all of us Chenarsardo Rangers are druids or Rangers. We take in recruits from all walks of life, so long as they fit the bill. Garlielle Forsyth, the commander of Fort Nunder was a sorcerer. Hosted great parties, the fireworks were awesome."A bittersweet smile flashes over Cirieo's face.
"No wizards yet. I suppose those snooty snots don't want to get their precious spellbooks dirty traveling around in the Fangwood."
Cirieo shakes his head, "I haven't seen any Rangers in the woods. Have you?"
"We've also walked around a fairly large portion of the woods, the triangle between Fort Ristin, Fort Nunder and Fort Trevalay."Cirieo replies.
Grenwold says, ”Once per week I can communicate with the land itself and ask a limited series of questions. The last time I used it on knowledge of people in the area we were in, it caught all creatures within six miles. There were no rangers there, but we were far from the forts. I can check again pretty soon, if you’d like. Its range is about seven miles away now.” He shakes his head at Cireo, ”it is a powerful ability and gives a great deal of ... knowledge. I have to be careful not to overwhelm my brain again, but I will gladly use it for you if you’d like. And I am not a ranger or druid myself, but I have a great deal of respect for them and their bond with the land. My connection may be but a pale imitation, but I try to use it where I can, and it seems like the land appreciates it. I am sorry about Garielle.”
Grenwold shrugs, ”As for the Darkblight, I had thought it had not extended to here until the news of the pixie. I had thought that they were content to stay in the north. I can only speculate, but I suspect I thought wrong. I had assumed many of the fey we met were corrupted, only to be proven wrong again and again. I had almost convinced myself it wasn’t a problem. And Arlantea I only know by a story of a story of a story, myself. In any event, it isn’t worth worrying about her or the Darkblight unless we come across it. The Legion is our number one problem at the moment. We have to be like the squirrel - take all of our problems and tackle them one by one.”
As the others speak about the forest, the lost rangers and the blight, Ratel scratches Bear between the ears. Nodding in agreement that the forest is a large place, he adds. "My people have hidden in the wood for generations. It's possible many have survived. Speaking of surviving, are we going to rush this place in broad daylight or wait until dark when some may be sleeping?"
Nodding True, but I was thinking more may be asleep. Either way I'm good."
"So, what about luring them out of the fort in small numbers and deal with them? So we have less to deal with during the final fight."
”You caught everything in six miles and there were no Rangers. I won’t pretend to understand how you did that, but I’ll take your word for it. If there are no rangers to be found, then I suppose they’re all dead.” Cirieo says morosely. ”Does that net of yours catch dead bodies?”
” Fort Nunder was overrun by trolls, and we found only bones, so I don’t really see any possible positive outcome.” Cirieo answers.
”I don’t know – if the darkblight were to spread south to attack the hobgoblins, both sides may likely be weakened by the confrontation and we might be able to make use of that. Without sufficient forces, there’s no point throwing yourself at a rock wall, is there?” Cirieo asks.
"Let me say it this way. If we want to form a strategy that will maximize the chances of saving or finding people. We must plan assuming there are survivors and plan accordingly. So I unfortunately can't help how you feel but I can make sure we plan for success and survival."
Shrugging, "Me and Bear are ready whenever." he gestures towards the nearest gate "Is it going to be a mad charge for a beach head." He gestures towards the further gate "Or should we try a distraction to get the enemy to go another direction before we attack or is stealth even an option?"
Seeing how much larger Bear had grown while they were wandering around the wood, Ratel smiles, "You have a point." He fishes his vial of mutagen out of his pouch, "So which bridge are we going to charge across?"
To Cireo: "Maybe they would weaken each other, it's something to consider. The problem is that the darkblight will tend to gobble up much of the forest in the process. We should think about it though, as we move forward."
Before they do anything, "Ratel, Fenton has gotten bigger too. I think it might be a bit too much having two large creatures running around the Fort... Robert, that wand that you have for reduce animal, would you cast it on Fenton before we go in?"
To Hedran, "Well, remember when I scouted the last camp? We made a pretty good plan - would you like me to hide on top of the tree for a day or so? I can watch what's going on and maybe find out a little more about the leadership from up above. It's probably not a good idea to go in blind."