Elemental attack archer
exclude baddies
In a brief moment of fury the party dispatches the remaining orcs. The single room contains a large fireplace, a table and chairs, a pair of bunks, and stacks of crates and barrels. In the NW corner is a pile of bodies, one is soundly trussed and apparently still alive.
Are the bodies and live person human? Do we think they are Knights of Ozen?
-16
When everyone is ready Eng will cut bindings on prisoner.
The bodies are human. The live one is a female in heavy plate and would appear to be a knight while the others were probably men-at-arms. Her mouth is gagged, but her eyes follow your movements attentively. It is clear that she has been badly beaten and is suffering from a few wounds.
Go ahead.
The woman gasps in relief as her bindings are cut. Thank you! My name is Calrianne Blix, Knight of Ozem, charged with the defense of this way station. Clearly a duty in which I have failed. Who are you? Clearly not my relief....
"My name is Eng, we came by boat delivering a shipment from Trunau. I was raised there in the Sanctuary, Temple of Iomedae. My companions are Daardra, Orett, and Ghûn. You look injured Calrianne, let me heal some of your wounds and maybe you can tell us what happened here?"
Stands in the back keeping a watchful eye out for other potential foes and lets Eng do the talking.
-6
Calrianne clearly benefits from the healing.-Thank you again. We were attacked by orcs just a short while ago. Most of our unit is on patrol and those of us who remained were quickly overwhelmed. I'm guessing they left me alive for...entertainment.
I heard them talking about planning to sack several of the way stations along the river in preparation for a larger assault against Castle Firrine.
You don't appear to be the regular crew that Bloodtusk employs to deliver the cargo. Well, except for the big one; he looks like he would fit right in. No offense...Ghun.
I guess Trunau still stands. Heard it was under siege for a few days.
Were you lot there for the battle?
“We were at Trunau for the battle. The orcs seem to be stirring up lots of trouble in Trunau and now here. Where is Castle Firrine and do you know who leads these orcs, are there giants with them? We fear Trunau may be attacked again so we are headed to Ghostlight Marsh and then on to Redlake Fort to end a giant named Grenseldek and hopefully the threat to our home.”
Calriannse's head jerks a little and she appears visibly excited when she hears you mention Redlake Fort-Castle Firrine is one of Lastwall's holds near the juncture of the Esk and Kestrel rivers. You are maybe a few days away from it depending on how fast Bloodtusk chooses to go and you will certainly pass it if you head into the Ghostlight Marsh.
If Redlake Fort is your ultimate destination then I may be able to repay my debt to you. My ancestor, a man named Fabian Blix, was the fort's cleric. He died during the final siege of the fort, but one of his sons, my great-grandfather, escaped through a hidden sewer tunnel. My great-grandfather brought out with him several documents, including this map. She heads to a book shelf and unfolds a map showing what looks like the majority of the Fort. Should you discover the fate of Fabian Blix, my family would certainly be interested in learning what ultimately happened to him.
The orcs here are part of the forces that Grenseldek commands and she has long been a thorn in the side of our forces in this area. They seem to have been stirred up by the siege of Trunau and are looking for a more satisfying outcome than a strategic withdrawl. I'm sure serious trouble will soon follow if something is not done to thwart them.
“Wow! Could we make a copy of this map? It may come in very handy. And that’s amazing that you know so much about your ancestors. But I get the feeling that something about your great grandfather or his father is bothering you?”
Wish I knew something about my family history.
Calrianne sighs and hesitates before speaking again-The map is my gift to you for saving me. In addition, I offer you a gift of the truth. The stories passed down in my family in regard to the fort's castellan are not kind. My great-grandfather rarely spoke of his time at the fort and though I don't know the details, I can remember that any mention of the fort or the castellan would cause him to go pale and visibly tremble. My family prides itself over its honor; I can only imagine that the castellan performed some heinous deed that stained it.
“Thanks for the map and for sharing your family’s story Calrianne, that must have been difficult. Are you going to stay on here at the outpost? Is there anything else we can help you with here? Do you still want our delivery?”
Thank you for your kind words Eng. I will stay on here until the outpatrol returns and we'll then send word for reinforcements.
Please leave your delivery; I'm assuming it's still on board Bloodtusk's ship?
As for helping, I know it is not fun work, but if you would help me bury our dead that would be appreciated.
Help with the burial and have Bloodtusk's crew deliver the weapons.
I help in the burial of the dead.
You help with the burial and make fast the delivery of goods. As well, you repair as best you can the stout door to the place and do some simple cleaning. Calrianne thanks you again and writes you note that should help you with passage amongst the Knights of Ozem or in Lastwall.
You travel a few more days and Captain Bloodtusk recovers somewhat from his illness although he is still quite weak and tires easily. After another full day of travel you reach the docks of Castle Firrine. The massive castle lies a few miles away, dominating the two rivers and all trade that passes through them.
After exchanging some cargo, the crew spends the night at the docks, enjoying themselves at one of the bars that caters to river traffic, and will set out again the following day.
Any action from the party?
To the group:
"Calrianne said that when she was a captive she overheard the orcs talking about attacking way stations along the river and then an assault on Castle Firrine. We need to go to the Castle Firrine and warn them."
To Bloodtusk:
"We have business at the Castle, hopefully it won't take long."
Eng keeps an eye out for orcs or anything suspicious on the road to the Castle.
"Getting tired of these orcs, they be much trouble."
G will also keep an eye out for trouble on the way to the Castle.
The few miles to the castle are heavily patrolled and no signs of trouble are evident. You notice that the road is cleverly designed to take advantage of the rise of the hill that the castle sits on and it cuts back in several areas, which would allow for defenders to ambush invaders from above and set up barricades to impede their progress.
You arrive at the gates to the fortress and find the drawbridge, over a deep dry ditch filled with sharp rocks at the bottom, to be down. A small squad of guards stops you and asks you about your business here.
“My name is Engwarth, I’m here to see whoever is in charge of defending the castle with an important report from Calrianne Blix, Knight of Ozem. ”
Present the paperwork she gave us if necessary to show that we met with her.
The guard sends a runner into the fortress and several moments later an officious looking military man comes out and says-I am senior adjutant Nelfi; the gate guard indicates you have a report from outpost commander Blix. While it is highly unusual for a report to be made by a civilian, I will take your report now.
"Hello Senior Adjutant Nelfi, my name is Engwarth and these are my companions: Daardra, Ghûn and Orett. We were delivering a shipment of weapons to the outpost from Trunau. When we arrived at the outpost it had been overrun by orcs and wolves, we managed to defeat them and released commander Blix who was being held captive. While a captive she said she overheard the orcs speaking about raiding other outposts along the river in preparation for an assault on Castle Firrine. The orcs are lead by a giant name Grenseldek. Though you look well prepared with soldiers and fortifications, I can tell you as a survivor of the Trunau siege to treat this threat seriously."
Damn that man can talk.
Nelfi-Thank you....Engwarth is it? We will double our patrols and send word to Vigil of this Grenseldek. We have had word of her before, but she has never bothered us and had previously been content to torment the orcs of Belkzen and any fools that dared wander through the lands she claimed. We had hoped her energy spent on Trunau, but if she is still feeling frisky we will give her a taste of medicine she won't soon forget. Have a pleasant day.
He turns and heads back into the fortress.
To the group:
"That was a little anticlimactic, I guess these people don't like to waste time. Its back to the boat now, unless someone else has a better idea? And thanks for coming along with me, I felt obligated to warn them."
Ghûn makes a grunting sound of agreement and heads back to the boat.
That seemed a little weird. Didn't ask about troop types or nothing. Just a fare thee well and out the door. hmmph.
That did seem a bit abrupt, even for me.
The party makes its way back to the keelboat knowing that they are being closely watched by the guards of the castle. Orett even swears he sees a translucent eye bobbing along behind them from time to time, but when he focuses on it, it disappears.
The crew of the boat is in fine form when the party reaches the docks and you know that tomorrow will be a long day for the heavily inebriated group.
Any other actions before the following day?
Based on what Silvermane told us, do we think we are in the area where we need to find a will'o'wisp and look for the Vault of Thorns?
If yes, then head into the nearest swampy/marshy area to find a will'o'wisp. If not, get some rest.
A not quite drunk Bloodtusk-Don't worry you lot. My crew may be a bit briney in the morning, but we'll finish our contract and get you into the heart of the Ghostlight Marsh by the end of tomorrow. Then it's a nice lazy trip back here for another load of cargo and another round in the bars.
You find a way to get some rest despite the drunken snores of the crew that was able to find its way back to the ship.
Let me know if there is anything else you want to do before I advance the story.
You keep making me think i'm missing something from the storyline in the past posts every time you ask that question! Eng and Ghûn can't think of anything else to do.
Orett/Daardra?
Nothing here
The next day a very crusty crew gets the keelboat underway and headed up the Esk river. After a few short hours the surrounding lands turn from low hills into fetid marsh. The fetid air does nothing to dispel the discomfort of the crew and they move even more languidly, drawing the ire of an also crusty Captain Bloodtusk.
A few hours after mid-day, soon after Bloodtusk informs the party that their destination is close, the way forward is blocked by a simple dam of stone blocks. While not plugging the river completely, it fully blocks boat travel.
Bloodtusk-Well this ought not to be here. Your choice then fellows, clear the damn and we'll take you the last few leagues or you can make your way from here.
“I think we can make our way from here, thanks for the relaxing river cruise!”
Orett/Daardra
-How big are the stone blocks? How long do we think it'll take to clear the river?
How long will it take us to travel the last few leagues on foot?
Eng and Orett cry out a warning of ambush as a flight of arrows lands amongst the party:
Ghun
Daardra
Ghun
Orett
Orett
A group of four orc archers can be seen partially concealed in the marsh ahead. They appear to be led by a massive orc hurling javelins.
Ghûn charges forward to engage the massive orc.
Eng will summon an earth elemental to attack one of the bowmen.
Slumber Hex on the massive orc
-5 hp
Charge the archers.
Ghun and Orett rush forward to engage taking another volley.
On Ghun
On Orett
The massive orc succumbs to Daardra's hex. Eng's elemental crushes one of the orc archers to death.
Eng takes archer fire from behind!
Ghun and Orett make their way through the uneven footing of the marsh and are in melee with the 3 remaining archers.
Slumber Hex on orc on Eng