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"I get the feeling that the only thing that would cause a panic here is running out of pretzels."
Violet nudges Vexras. "Hey, you talk good. Mind giving it a shot?"
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”The great pretzel famine of 4703. Don’t remind me. Those were dark days.”
Vexras looks from Arryn to Violet and at their encouragement shrugs then strides toward the mayor and his group. ”Ah, the mayor at last! At least I believe this is the mayor, for if there is another soul in this fine establishment that would better suit the name Thom Crawbert, then I am a horned gnome!” He chuckles at his own joke as the group turns their attention to him but he continues on before they can interrupt. ”It pains me so to disrupt your conversation like this, and yet I fear I must. It seems, you see, that most of your cups are in need of refilling and rectifying this is the least I could do after receiving such a warm welcome to Longshadow. Ah, but here I am, forgetting yet again to introduce myself. Vexras Voltagion, itinerant sword smith and humble filler of needy cups, at your esteemed service. Forgive me, if I have come across as pushy in any way, my companions,” he gestures back toward the door as his friends move to find a table, ”they are fond of watching me make a fool of myself.”
Violet nods along enthusiastically.
”The great pretzel famine of 4703. Don’t remind me. Those were dark days.”
Dorrin allows a meager chuckle to escape just under his breath. "A 'horned gnome'. Good one," he murmurs.
Brostic listens to Vexras' words and thinks Where did we find these funny guys? Oh yeah. They saved us from the hobgoblins in Fort Trevalay. The seriousness of that situation reduces the levity of the conversation for Brostic. Not wanting to interfere in the diplomatic efforts, Brostic moves to the bar and asks the keep
"We need refills for the mayor's table." Pulling out his coin sack and dropping some silver pieces onto the bar, he adds "Thanks for your assistance." He drops two more silver "Those are for you."
The bartender thanks Brostic, giving him a wide grin, along with several mugs to carry back to the table.
When he arrives, he finds the mayor greeting Vexras.
"No, no worries, my good man. Any visitor to Longshadow is a friend of mine. Come, come, have a drink," he says happily.
He introduces you as well to his "three most trusted advisers": Garret Graygallow, a human man who owns a local foundry; Seneka Volstadt, a female half-elf shipping magnate; and Banker Solomon Zane, a priest of Abadar. They greet you politely, if nowhere near as boisterously as the mayor does.
Arryn pulls up a chair. He keeps his voice pitched low. "Thank you, sir, though there will be many visitors to Longshadow very soon who will not be friends of yours, or anybody else who lives here. We're sorry to spoil your pleasant afternoon, but we must speak with you on a serious matter, and I admit that right now, I'm terrified that you will not believe us. We could scarcely believe it when it was happening to us. Are you aware that the Ironfang Legion has invaded and taken most, if not all, of southern Nirmathas, from the river to the border? We are from Phaendar, which fell to a sneak attack several months ago. Ever since, we've been leading and protecting a group of refugees from there in Fangwood. In seeking help from the Chernasardo Rangers, we learned that they had been wiped out almost to a man. In clearing out several of their former forts, we engaged one of the Ironfang's lieutenants in this region, and she had a series of battle plans and some maps. These maps."
Carefully, so as not to alarm other citizens nearby, he unrolls the map that shows the planned invasion of Longshadow.
"Thank you, son, for bringing these to facts to my attention," the mayor replies, "but I'm not worried. That sounds horrible for Phaendar, but Longshadow is one of the most heavily fortified cities in Nirmathas. We're more than capable of defending ourselves from a few uppity goblins.”
”I appreciate that, sir, but we aren’t talking about a dozen foes raiding farms: there are hundreds of them if not more. The Ironfang Legion has conquered all of Nirmathas south of here. We used communication magic to warn Tamran and request military aid and the response was that they are preparing to be under siege there and unable to send us help. First, however, they conquered the territory between here and there so you would not be able to send them arms and reinforcements during the siege. Once they take Longshadow, they will have access to all those supplies and will no longer have to worry about their supply lines to Molthune.”
”I know that we are strangers and you have no reason to trust or believe us. Do you have some trusted scouts here in town who could come with us to locate and survey their forces?”
"And they have a dragon. Had. I think we killed it? I was unconscious at the time. Because of the dragon. Point is, there's something different about these hobbos (I call hobgoblin hobbos, I think it's catching on, but it would help a lot if you started saying it, seeing as you're the mayor). And Vexras said they have a tower that basically popped up overnight. Maybe check that out, too?"
Cutting his eyes from Violet to the mayor, "The lass is right. We did kill the dragon. And I don't doubt the defensibility of Longshadow. My question ta you, Mayor, is: Can Longshadow stand up ta a thousand gobbos? What about five thousand? Ten thousand? Because if they've already taken what Arryn here just told ya they've taken, I can guarantee ya their army easily numbers in the thousands. And with that bein' the case, can Longshadow withstand such a number alone? Because there's no help ta be had, Mayor, let me assure ya. They've nearly taken over everythin' surroundin' ya ta where you'll be the only town left. We highly urge ya ta prepare for war because that storm WILL arrive, ready or not."
"Mayor Crawbert, while I am certain that your great city has the capabilities to fend off any attacks that you have encountered previously, in all my years roaming through the Chernasardo Forest I have never seen such an organized group of hobgoblins. There is someone or something leading these creatures. All we are asking is that you at least discuss the matter with the head of your city's security, perhaps run a few drills to ascertain your current readiness. Isn't it always better to be prepared? Thank you for taking the time to speak with us. We are available if anyone wishes to ask us questions about what we have seen."
Brostic bows and moves back to the bar to order a drink for himself.
"Thom," the half-elf woman named Seneka interrupts, "it's clear they're concerned, but they're also strangers to our town. I'm sure they're just being alarmist. We don't want to panic people over nothing."
Solomon, the cleric of Abadar nods, "Yes, a thousand hobgoblins? Not that we couldn't fight that off, but I'm sure it's not that many. I've known traders who've gone to Phaendar. Lovely little town, but it was just that. A town. I'm sure 100 hobgoblins would have been more than enough to take it over."
He's interrupted by Garret, the mayor's third adviser: "Though it was more likely just a raid. No offense, but did you stick around there? Or flee? No one could blame you for the latter!" he adds in a quick assurance. "No one wants to be caught by hobgoblins, but ... there is a difference."
After the others try to convince the mayor the destruction of his town is coming whether he likes it or not, Dorrin adds his two cents. "Yep. I couldn't have said it any better," he claims with confidence.
"Yeah!"
"...mmm-hmm."
"Look, you can get on the offense and fight them now or wait for them to attack with more supplies and support. They're getting stronger, not weaker. Now if you're not willing to act, maybe we just need to take this information to the rest of the people and let them decide for themselves."
"What's holding you back, really? Are you afraid of what happens if you fail? Or if you'll look foolish if we're wrong? Please at least give us the chance to convince you."
"Um...strategery?"
And here's a reroll on the Intimidate:
"Not that we want to go behind your backs, or anything. It's just that you've got such a nice town here. It would be a shame if something were to happen to it." Violet knocks over a glass.
Arryn reiterates his acknowledgement that they are unknown and that if they have any reservations, he’d be happy to head out with a local scout to find the hobgoblins forces.
Arryn talks a bit about Scarvinious and implies that many of the hobgoblin forces are as elite of fighters as he was.
In an effort to show that they aren’t just talking about a few measly hobgoblins, Arryn demonstrates his own power by gathering power and lifting several tables into a large pile, along with a couple townspeople.
Sullenly sitting in silence after being chastised by Violet for his display, Arryn is too distracted to notice much.
Coming back from his funk, Arryn lays out the maps again, pointing out the thought that has clearly gone into the hobgoblins’ invasion and how they would never have been able to accomplish so much without a truly formidable force.
It's a close call, as the advisers press their case forcefully, Eventually, though, the mayor shakes his head and turns to them. "Listen to them. Clearly they've had a lot of experience fighting the Ironfang Legion, and if they say that an invasion is imminent, and the town's defenses aren't adequate, I have to listen to them!"
He turns back to you. "Please, if everything you say is true, we need your help. Will you stay here and aid Longshadow?"
With his question, the advisers concede. "Perhaps you're right," the woman, Seneka says with a rueful smile. "I fear what this will mean for our economy, but I can't let my greed blind us to a genuine threat. Obviously if this Legion gets into the city, that will hurt our economy even more."
You realize that this minor verbal skirmish was just your first battle, however, and you have work you're going to need to do if Longshadow is to stand.
City Walls: A sturdy brick wall surrounds most of Longshadow, leaving only the dockside district exposed. The walls have battlements and walkways, allowing the town’s militia to patrol the edges of Longshadow and keep a watchful eye out for bandits, Molthuni armies, and the occasional hunting wyvern. However, the wall is in poor repair in several places, making it easy to climb. You can lead laborers in repairs to the wall with a successful Craft (stonemasonry), Knowledge (engineering), or Profession (stonemason) check.
Internal Defenses: While the walls of Longshadow are paramount to defense, they cannot hold off every enemy. With some preparation and planning, you can organize fallback locations and choke points, as well as barricades and medical stations. Organizing untrained citizens to make all these improvements requires a successful Craft (alchemy, carpentry, stonemasonry, or traps), Diplomacy, or Knowledge (local) check to determine the best locations for defenses or to directly aid in their construction.
Militia Drills: The town’s militia consists of 50 soldiers, though only 25 of these operate in the town at a given time. The remainder operate as scouts and marshals in the wilderness and nearby villages. You can muster an additional 300 soldiers from the town’s reserves with the mayor's blessing, but these conscripts are inexperienced and undisciplined. You can whip the militia into shape with a successful Intimidate or Profession (soldier) check.
Siege Supplies: Many of Longshadow’s crops in the surrounding fields aren’t quite ready for harvest, but can be gathered to help the city prepare for disaster. Likewise, townsfolk trained in hunting and trapping can redouble their efforts to fill larders before disaster strikes. Organizing these efforts requires a successful Profession (baker, cook, farmer, or trapper) or Survival check.
Townsfolk Readiness: Although not trained as soldiers, Longshadow’s townsfolk are strong, ablebodied, and eager to defend their homes. Rather than serving as soldiers, these adults can be trained to fight fires, run messages, and tend to the injured. Inspiring and training the average citizens of Longshadow requires a successful Diplomacy, Heal, or Profession (soldier) check.
Arryn will do militia drills in morning and late afternoon, and do Townspeople Readiness in between.
Blech! Longshadow is clearly doomed!
Violet follows Arryn around, clumsily barking orders.
In between sessions, she tries to convince anyone who will listen that perhaps what the townsfolk need is a seminar on the fundamentals of wrestling.
Dorrin works hard to round up as many people he can to work to gather as many food supplies as they can.
Wishing he could help the townsfolk repair and produce enough weaponry for the coming assault, Vexras recognizes the more immediate need of an organized and orderly people. He splits his time between helping the people identify and fill gaps in the defenses and in helping and advising the non-combatants in how they can best support the town’s soldiers and militia.
Arryn starts by trying to lead the militia through some drills, and they're going well -- thanks to Violet's help -- at first. Then a small fight breaks out, and by the time the dust has settled, it's clear two militia members are dead! Whatever you hoped to gain from the drills, it's clear that if anything they've only hurt your cause.
You think someone may have purposely instigated the fight! It's possible there was some sabotage!
Arryn and Violet similarly struggle to get the townspeople to listen, but Vexras and Brostic have far more luck. For whatever reason, they seem far more willing to listen and accept the danger than the mayor and his advisers, or the militia for that matter. Vexras also organizes several fallback locations and choke points against a possible Ironfang invasion, though he suspects there's more that could be done.
Dorrin's time in the wild has suited him well for his chosen task, and he soon has supplies stockpiled for a possible siege, or whatever else might come.
The day ends with you feeling accomplished, but you suspect there's still much to do, and you just don't know how much more time you have.
With the day over, Arryn calls the group together to debrief, discuss what went well, and what went horribly wrong.
"Perhaps, since the townspeople are quite enamoured with Vexras and Brostic, you two should stay and continue readiness, while Violet and I do some scouting to see if we can find out how much time we have before the army arrives?"
Violet nods sullenly.
Vexras shrugs, ”I’m afraid there’s not much left we can do with the townsfolk as it were. They are as ready as they can be, but some of the more defensible positions in the town could be reinforced and prepared still.” He pauses, reviewing his progress and evaluation of the townsfolk once more but in the end shakes his head. ”What about you two and the militia? I heard some of the people actually died during drills?”
Arryn throws up his hands. ”Not a clue. We were running some drills, everything was going great, then some old beef must have flared up, and they started at each other. By the time I had flung them all aside and Violet had gotten in to split them up, two guys were dead. Nobody seems to know what happened, but needless to say we didn’t get much training in after that.”
"Something's hinky about that fight, don't you think? Like someone was starting it on purpose? You guys, I don't want to sound alarmist, but I think someone is trying to stop us from being alarmist."
Vexras frowns at the thought, ”That might suggest that these Iron Fang have agents in the town already. A troubling complication. If they are here, how can we root them out before they hurt these good people any more?”
”Perhaps by giving these traitors a target too tempting to pass up, such as tomorrow morning when I head out to that clearing we passed on the way in, alone, to engage in my deep meditations. You know, the reason we had to postpone tomorrow’s drills, because I’ll be out there, alone, distracted with deep thoughts.”
Stroking in his beard in thought at the suggestion, "Worth a shot. I'm not sure what else it would take ta draw the scum out. I'll keep me eyes open for anyone who may follow. I know the clearin' ya speak of so no worries there."
They will need Vexras' silver tongue to sell the lie about why there are no drills today. Something about Dorrin and Violet going out to hunt for more provisions while Arryn is meditating.
As Arryn and others leave town, Vexras shrugs with a sigh and shakes his head ruefully. Talking more to himself than anyone else, he mutters, ”Well, perhaps reinforcing walls has something even faintly in common with forging blades.”
Outside the walls, Arryn has a pleasant morning, while Dorrin and Violet see nothing that causes them alarm. Inside, things go well for Brostic, who's able to offer some tips on treating injuries that the townsfolk pick up quickly.
Vexras, however, thinks things are going well, but as he's leading his team in putting the finishing touches on his wall repair he can only look in dismay as the repairs crumble in a thunderous roar, support beams snapping in half!
On alert from Violet's earlier observation, you think there may again have been sabotage of your work. It's odd, though, since you would swear you noticed Brostic on site at one point, which would seemingly have cut down the chances for such mayhem.
You're now at 73 Defense Points.
Arryn returns at lunch time rather than spend the whole day as bait. Seeing the collapsed wall he mutters a curse before heading over to lay hands on anyone hurt.
For the rest of the day, he’ll run more militia drills, but this time making certain to spread folks as far apart as he can.
Keeping an eye out for trouble
Brostic has prepared Divination for the day and will cast it asking the following:
Is there anything specific that must be done to prepare either the town of Longshadow and/or the party for a possible invasion of the Ironfang Legion?
With a heavy sigh at the scene of the collapse, Vexras shrugs at the futility of it all. Despite this, he still makes sure everyone’s uninjured before helping to clear some of the debris so they can start over. He turns to the crew he’d worked with throughout the morning and smiles, ”Well, I suppose we will just have to try once more. Come, let us keep our chins up as we put our shoulders into it again, my friends!”
Violet mopes back into town and takes out her frustration the poor unsuspecting townsfolk.
Violet kicks a rock and stubs her toe.
Even though he knows next to nothing about how to repair or build a wall, that doesn't stop Dorrin from doing whatever he can to help get them fixed up to the best of his ability.
Back inside, Violet struggles to do much with the militia, but Arryn's old training comes into play and he's able to eventually get them functioning more efficiently.
Vexras, meanwhile, goes back to working on the walls, but again and again his every effort -- even with Dorrin's help -- seems to end in calamity, with key materials seeming to go missing or have defects that make them unusable.
You're almost certain this can't just be bad luck, but rather that someone must be working against you. It's odd, though, since you would swear you noticed Brostic on site at one point, which would seemingly have cut down the chances for such mayhem.
Brostic, meanwhile, gets an answer to his prayers: "Find the wizard, bring the beasts."
City Walls: 0/xx defense points earned
Internal Defenses: 5/xx
Militia Drills: 20/30
Siege Supplies: 10/10
Townsfolk Readiness: 10/10
84 defense points