All this time aboard the tight confines of the ship is making Gruug feel like a caged animal. He makes regular patrols around the ship deck, just to keep moving. The lack of fresh food is also making him feel hungry often. As each day passes he is getting grumpier. If Faruq so much as glares at him in a disapproving way, he is getting tackled, punched and spat on... not necessarily in that order.
"At least dose kech were somethin' ta hit eh Gruug? Mebbe once we get ta de end o' dis rivah we'll find somethin' othan dan bugs."
After the swarm passes, you proceed down the Vanji and the Captain tells you that they should reach Whitebridge Station on the morrow. A couple of hours later, the shout of the forward lookout brings your attention to the front of the boat. Coming toward you out of the gloom, a large white form floats upon the water down the center of the river. Captain Esteban slows the sternwheeler to await the strange apparition. As it draws closer it is identifiable as a flat-bottomed boat, apparently unoccupied. Captain Esteban orders his crew to secure the vessel with grappling hooks.
If you decide to have a look inside, you find a single fly-covered backpack soaked in blood a few hours old. Two thistle tipped arrows are embedded in its folds.
Know. Local
Ialda was happy to stretch her legs and escape the hold after the numerous run ins with the swarms. The employer can't think much of us. Better help investigate this vessel... She brushes the flies off the backpack, and brings it back to the others for further investigation.
Noting the potential threat, Gruug moves to the bow of the boat and begins scanning the banks of the river ahead.
Ialda recognizes the arrowheads as those belonging to the Ekujae war-like tribe of wild elves living in the Mwangi Expanse. The arrowheads are crafted out of the thistles of a toxic plant whose sap most creatures find highly caustic. The barbs on the arrowhead cause additional damage upon being pulled out of the target.
Ialda informs the others about the arrows. "Be very careful with those! Poisonous and they'll rip your skin clean off trying to get it out...". She opens the satchel, wondering what secrets might be contained therein.
Baolo pats his quiver, "Ooh, I know all 'bout dem arrahs." He leans over Ialda as she opens up the satchel.
Aeronniell nervously sizes up the arrows.
"We should've packed better for this trip! Anti-toxins! Why didn't I think about those when we were in the city?"
Sighing, the elf gazes off into the distance and wonders how Lavinia is faring.
Gruug continues to scan for trouble, however he keeps low and stays behind cover.
"Savage elves, eh?", 'Left-Ear' says with a grin. "Any friends o' yours, Em?"
The backpack appears to have been hastily packed with waterskins and rations. There is nothing else of interest on board the ship. Captain Esteban grumbles, "Damn elves!" He orders the crew to double watch shifts as he refuses to travel in the dark with this new threat and stops the boat for the night.
Morning comes soon enough with no threats from the jungle. Your trip down the river continues. A couple of hours later, Whitebridge Station suddenly rises out of the haze that has stood on the river all day. As if in anticipation of your arrival, the wind rises and clears the air, giving you a perfect view of the famous station that sits upon the trade route cutting through the heart of the Mwangi Expanse. The river flows through a narrow gorge, where two massive columns formed from dozens of tree trunks, bound into clusters around stone pilings, and sunk into the riverbed support this giant span. The bridge rises forty feet over the Vanji, from the top of one tall bank to the other. A large pier and tower of some sort rise from the near bank, and a multi-level caravanserai can be seen up the bank beyond. It is the bridge itself that commands immediate attention, arching above the river and bearing buildings and fortifications all along its length. The shield and snake standard of the Aspis Consortium flaps gently from a stanchion atop the bridge’s central supports, but that is the only movement to be seen at what should be a bustling trade station. The only sound is the gurgling of the muddy river.
Captain Esteban orders the boat to slow down, as he looks at the station suspiciously. "Odd. Where is Alec, the station manager? Or his men? There is a garrison of two dozen Aspis mercenaries stationed here, a few officers, and a handful of Aspis-affiliated merchants and vendors. In addition, caravans or riverboats come though Whitebridge Station every few days, so there is always a good chance of travelers staying at the guest house at any given time. There is never a time when the station should be this quiet and abandoned. Something is wrong here."
The Captain gives you a pretty detailed description of the Station, from which you can visualize the map. The boat is coming from the north and is not currently on the map.
"We can go take a look around. I need to get off this damned vessel and get back on land for a bit. We also need to stop by the merchants, and look for alchemical supplies as well."
"What if them wild elves take this place over. Then we be sail'n t'wards an ambush. Maybe some of us swim to the river bank and then check this place out b'fore boat goes any further?"
"Mebbe he ken even set us off ta de side. I agree we bettah go take a look."
Captain Esteban maneuvers the boat toward the eastern rock wall, giving you access to the stairs near the warehouse guest house, if you wish to explore.
Gruug, having become a little paranoid casts a spell to safeguard him as he clambers down.
"everyone be careful. Let's just do a quick on cover to find everyone. I'm sure everything will be fine.". Ialda follows Gruug's lead and uses a charge from her wand of Mage. Armor, just to be safe.
Baolo casts shield of faith on himself and nocking an arrow joins Gruug and Ialda to investigate the area.
Aeronniell nods at the wisdom of her companions, and blesses both herself and Ialda with Desna's protective wards.
She has he bow in hand and stands shoulder-to-shoulder with Baolo as they advance, keeping her eyes open for danger.
Wide cargo stairs lead up from the pier to the caravanserai, where a guest house built atop a warehouse and a paddock stand outside the boundaries of the fortified bridge, most likely provided for travelers who do not enjoy the protection of membership in the Aspis Consortium. Across the paddock are several small shanties for the laborers. All of
these buildings are empty, and no animals are present, though Aero does spot signs of battle and bloodstains, where fat black flies congregate.
The gates to the bridge heading west stand unsecured and wide open.
Ialda moves to the forefront of the group and moves to the open gate. "Lets check the buildings and see if there are clues what happened here. Those bloodstains worry me, but perhaps there's something that tells us more of the story. If the fort was attacked, maybe someone left a message for us."
Gruug nods his agreement to his boss' plan.
"Mind the flies," 'Left-Ear' says, far more concerned by the Expanse's insect life than anything else it might hide at the moment.
Baolo casts see invisibility. "I worry dat mebbe not everybody is gone, but let's see." Baolo watches the area beyond the gate for any signs of movement.
The bloodstains are all around each building you have passed, but no bodies. You head west across the bridge, passing some buildings. Baolo casts his spell.
Surprise Round:
Baolo casts his spell and immediately sees a male elf in tribal paint standing on the roof ahead of the party! Both parties see each other and reach for their arrows!
The male elf (20' up) reaches his first and lets loose a thistle arrow at Baolo, catching him flatfooted, the arrowhead digging into the Mwangi's skin!
Seeing no easy way to engage the stink'n elf, Gruug rushes to Baolo's side and renders aid.
Baolo points to the elf on the roof and calls out, "We got someone firin' on us from up top. Damn! And he's a good shot too!" Baolo sends his own thistle arrow arcing toward the archer on the roof.
Round 1:
The elven leader grimaces, as Baolo's arrow penetrates his armor. He screams out, "Kill them, kill them all my brothers! Take out the archers first!"
He pulls out 2 arrows in succession very quickly and lets them fly at Baolo!
Two more archers pop out on the rooftops. One aims for Baolo, the other for Aero.
An archer comes from behind the wall in front of the party and shoots Left-Ear.
Finally, the party hears a growl behind the westernmost archer, as large 4-armed gorilla runs up next to him and beats his chest in defiance at the party!
Ialda moves forward 20' as she pulls her longspear, poking away at the gorilla from distance, rather than letting it get close and rend her to shreds.
Attack w/ PA and Rage,
Damage
Ialda's spear fails to penetrate the 10' tall gorilla's thick fur.
Gruug releases a burst of healing energy, and then moves to block the ape's way.
Aeronniell glances worriedly at Baolo's wounds and provides fairly obvious advice to her fellow archer and allies.
"Take cover from the archers! Don't go near the gorilla if you value your life!"
Narrowing her eyes, she points an outstretched finger at the many-armed gorilla and nearby elves and beseeches Desna for some divine aid.
Aeronniell advances to the building next to her and opens the door, ushering Baolo to take further cover .
"Ya, dat elf is an even bettah shot dan I thought. Shimye-Magalla bring ya sweet rain down ta heal ma wounds." Baolo looses another thistle arrow at the leader and then retreats backward to take cover behind the building to the rear.
"Any friends o' yours, Em?", 'Left-Ear' asks as he reaches for an arrow. Without waiting for a response, he begins singing.
Round 2:
The blinded elf reaches for his eyes in a panicked state and tries backing away to the NW, provoking AoO from Gruug.
The leader of the elves yells at Baolo, "Coward! I will make your allies pay!" He then targets Aero with his 2 arrows, hitting once!
Elves 4 and 5 shoot Left-Ear, both arrows hitting the bard!
The girallon moves into the spot vacated by the blind elf and full attacks the husky half-orc, inflciting severe damage on the half-orc!
With Ialda now standing next to him, Gruug does his best to attract the attention of the ape-ish monstrosity by yelling, shouting and spitting at it.
Ialda throws down her spear and steps forward 5', activating her claws as she does so, and rending with all that was in her.
Attack
Damage
Attack two
Damage
Round two of rage.
Gruug's falchion drops the blind elf!
Baolo ignores the leader and casts cure light wounds on himself.
Seeing Louis more resembling a pin cushion than a bard, Aeronniell gestures to the door she just opened.
"Louis! Get inside and take cover!"
The elf reaches out to tug the man's shoulder while her hand discharges some holy energy into his battered body.
She then continues into the northern building, working to break line of sight from the archers on the roof above.
Ialda throws down her spear and steps forward 5', activating her claws as she does so, and rending with all that was in her.
Attack 1d20+9
Damage 1d6+9
Attack two 1d20+9
Damage 1d6+9
Round two of rage.
The bard follows after Aero, seeking shelter from the archers, but continuing his song.
Round 3:
With Aero, Left-Ear, and Baolo all behind cover, the elven leader turns his attention to the only viable targets, Ialda and Gruug! "Brothers, kill the green-skinned aberration!"
Leader:
Elf 4 shoots Gruug, while Elf 5 follows suit, shooting the barbarian, drawing blood with his arrow!
The girallon continues to feast on the half-orc, hitting him with 3 claw attacks again!