"I say we look into finding out who this wizard is and what kind of beasts we should bring."
Brostic will seek out those whom the party interacted with in the bar when they first arrived and ask whether they know anything about a missing wizard.
Frustrated, Violet nods enthusiastically. "We could use any help we can get."
Most people don't seem to have any idea what Brostic's talking about, but finally someone at the bar suggests maybe he's talking about Navah -- one
of Mayor Crawbert’s old adventuring companions.
Upon hearing the suggestion, Brostic does what he can to make an appointment to see the mayor. During his attempt, he starts a conversation with the mayor's assistant.
"All this activity going on must keep you very busy. The mayor seems to have most things in hand here - although I'm not sure how much we are going to be able to help with the city's walls. None of us have much experience in working with stone. He seems to know quite a lot of folks around here, I'm certain you will find someone who will be able to help with the stone work.
Perhaps you could help me out with something else. I was wondering if you ever heard him mention someone named Navah?"
"I've personally navah heard of him--or her."
"..."
"I'm so sorry."
As the group discusses next steps and Brostic recommends focusing on the results of his divination, Vexras shakes his head with a chuckle. "What was it you heard again, my friend? 'Find the wizard, bring the beasts'? A fine time for Erastil to branch out into riddles! Violet saw someone stir up that conflict two days ago, and if there were any doubt as to a saboteur in the town's midst, surely all the ill that befell us at the walls surely banishes that. But, if riddles is all we have to go on, then we will have to make to do with riddles, I suppose."
He shrugs, "If you want to hunt down leads for this wizard or these beasts, be my guest. If you need my help at any point, seek me out, but in the meantime, I will continue to try to help the town make ready for the inevitable. Though, perhaps I shall be giving up on the walls for now. Perhaps Arryn or Dorrin would care to accompany me? If for no other reason than to have a second set of eyes in case our saboteur makes another appearance."
Arryn nods. ”I’ll hang out with you. If by beasts Erastil meant large animals, Dorrin’s skills could be useful. I’ll pretend like I’m going with the others, then make myself invisible and sneak back. This saboteur might be bolder if he thinks you’re all alone.”
Approaching Mayor Crawbert, you find out that he does indeed know a wizard named Navah, whom he used to adventure with. Now largely retired, she visits town every few weeks to collect supplies for her research, but failed to collect her last order.
"At first, I thought nothing of it, but ... I dispatched two riders to contact her once you persuaded me of the dangers, and neither has come back. I can't help but worry she has already fallen to the Ironfang Legion. The hobgoblins could use her tower as an advance position for their army!"
At your request, he shares what else he knows: Navah has always been fascinated by monsters—especially those created or warped by magic—and when she retired, she built her tower nearby to study the creatures of the Hollow Hills. He suspects there were deeper fears motivating her research, but they were never friends so much as co-workers, and so he never felt comfortable prying. Crawbert does worry that Navah’s research attracted the attention of the Ironfang Legion, and if the wizard has a menagerie of dangerous creatures locked away somewhere, they could be formidable additions to the hobgoblin army.
Navah’s tower is 20 miles northwest of Longshadow, and the mayor can provide detailed directions. The tower itself, he says, is carved into the face of a 30-foot-tall basalt cliff.
"I've personally navah heard of him--or her."
"..."
"I'm so sorry."
Dorrin simply stares at the brawler with a raised eyebrow. He then turns to Vexras, "Yep, I'll go with ya."
"Violet, would you care to accompany me in the search of this Navah person? Or do you think we should wait until Vexras, Arryn and Dorrin flush out the saboteur?"
With the possibility of the Ironfang Legion in the area -- two riders have already apparently gone missing -- it's likely not very safe to have two people go out on their own on a cross-country excursion.
"Guys, I really don't think this dividing is a good idea. Making our way to this tower sounds like a job for the full team, especially if there are monsters to get through, or if we find the Legion between here and there. But I think we should make one more effort to flush out this saboteur, so by all means, Violet, Brostic, and I can head out, but just don't go very far, and I'll immediately return invisibly, and see what mischief I can spot. If we don't learn anything this afternoon, then we can all head out first thing in the morning, or even this evening, if we'd rather not wait."
"Yeah I'm with Arryn on that one. If any of us are goin' any type of distance ta anywhere, I'm thinkin' we shouldn't be splittin' ourselves up; and if are walls are bein' sabotaged then I'm definitely for findin' out who it is for sure."
"I guess this Navah person will have to wait until we figure out who is behind the sabotage and ensure the city is safe against an invasion. Hopefully we can get to the bottom of this mystery quickly so we can find out why I was told to find this wizard and what these beasts are we are supposed to bring."
Frustrated by her meager contributions to the town's readiness, Violet votes for action.
"Let's go to the tower. Maybe we'll get some answers there."
Arryn agrees to the tower, but he does insist they share their suspicions about a saboteur with the mayor and his advisors, so they can keep an eye out.
The mayor and his advisers seem shocked by Arryn's revelation.
"Saboteurs?!" the mayor exclaims. "Are you sure?"
Garret, the owner of the local foundry, shakes his head. "I can't believe it. The wall, you say? Working with these things can be tricky. I don't want to cast aspersions, but are you sure it wasn't just an ... accident? One of the townsfolk who was helping you making a mistake?"
Seneka and Solomon, the other two advisers, look grim at the news.
”It’s not just the walls: it’s that fight the first day. Somebody’s actively working against us.”
"True or not, it is better to be vigilant and take precautions, is it not?"
"I guess that is true," Seneka says, as she glances at the others to see if they agree. "It's better to be safe than sorry."
Nothing for Arryn. He just wants to get there as quickly as possible, though he does pause at the mayor’s to ask if there’s anything specific they should know about this wizard and how to convince him to help, if necessary.
The mayor doesn't know much more than he shared above, so you quickly make your preparations. Brostic's able to find some basic enchanted arrows , but nothing more magical. Dorrin can easily resupply with bolts.
Leaving the city, you begin making your way toward the tower, following the mayor's instructions. You're wary, fearful the Ironfang Legion could have scouts or worse out here, but even so, when the attack comes, it takes you by surprise!
Two bugbears suddenly seem to appear out of nowhere, their presence completely unnoticed until darts hit Arryn and Vexras, both in the chest, sliding between ribs. You all feel a surge of fear run through you at their appearance.
The dart comes out of nowhere stopping an inch from Arryn’s skin, sending waves of disruption through his force ward.
Arryn takes a five-foot step to the west, then gathers power and lifts a large branch from the ground and hurls it at the blue bugbear.
x 1.5 = 40
As the dart halts just before Arryn, Vexras glances over at his friend but his expression shifts to one of confusion as he turns his gaze toward his own chest and finds a still trembling dart protruding from the center of it. Blood begins to stain his tunic in short order and his movements grow stiff and sluggish. Grunting through the shock, he raises his hand and sends a pair of twisting fiery beams lancing toward his assailant in reply.
HP: 34/51
AC: 24 (18 T / 16 FF)
Resist 5: cold, electricity, fire
CMD: 20
F/R/W: +8/+7/+7
Arcane Pool used: 0/7
Extend charges used: 1/3
PoP used: 0/2
|Prepared Spells|
Cantrips (4): acid splash, detect magic, mage hand, read magic
Lvl 1 (4): mage armor [X], magic missile [ ], shocking grasp [ ] [ ]
Lvl 2 (4): mirror image [ ] [ ], scorching ray [X] [ ]
Lvl 3 (2): haste [ ] [ ]
Ongoing Effects
mage armor, extended (12 hours): +4 AC
arcane pool: +1 keen (0/10)
piranha strike: -2/+4
shaken: -2’s
Sorry, another -2 to that useless attack roll.
Almost relieved to have something to fight, Violet charges towards the bugbear to the West.
Narrowing his eyes at the creatures, Dorrin takes aim...
Dorrin: 11*
Brostic: 10*
Arryn: 24
Vexras: 19
Violet: 19
Antagonist: 11
The bugbear easily ducks under Arryn's branch, giving him a cold, toothy grin as she gets ready to attack again. Fortunately for him, she's interrupted by Violet's arrival, though the brawler's fist clangs harmlessly off the attacker's breastplate. She pulls her dagger and cuts at her attacker , stepping behind her to give herself some cover from Arryn's strange powers.
On the other side of the path, Vexras blasts the second bugbear -- who immediately starts healing! She moves up to a tree to give herself some cover, pulling a dart that she throws at Dorrin -- but it lodges in the dwarf's armor instead, protecting him from a painful wound.
Blue:
Red: 11
Vexras nods to Dorrin and offers quietly, ”Would you like to shoot our new friend? If you would be so kind, I shall then arrange introductions between our dart tosser and my sword.” He bounces an eyebrow, waits for Dorrin’s shot, then rushes along in its wake and slips behind the hobgoblin, leaving her pinched between himself and the tree. ”Ah, hello there. I fear you misplaced this in my chest.” He tosses the dart up as if for her to catch it. ”Allow me to return the gesture.” He follows the toss with a quick lunging strike from his sword.
HP: 34/51
AC: 24 (18 T / 16 FF)
Resist 5: cold, electricity, fire
CMD: 20
F/R/W: +8/+7/+7
Arcane Pool used: 0/7
Extend charges used: 1/3
PoP used: 0/2
|Prepared Spells|
Cantrips (4): acid splash, detect magic, mage hand, read magic
Lvl 1 (4): mage armor [X], magic missile [ ], shocking grasp [ ] [ ]
Lvl 2 (4): mirror image [ ] [ ], scorching ray [X] [ ]
Lvl 3 (2): haste [ ] [ ]
Ongoing Effects
mage armor, extended (12 hours): +4 AC
arcane pool: +1 keen (1/10)
piranha strike: -2/+4
shaken: -2’s
Taking aim at the dart-throwing bugbear, "Aye. I would," he simply responds, firing off a couple of bolts at it.
Arryn takes a 5-foot step northwest to get a better angle, gathers power, and unleashes a bolt of lightning.
x 1.5 = 37
Brostic will move to the north under a tree for protection and to ensure his channeling of divine energy doesn't reach the bugbears.
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Violet waves back at Brostic, "Thanks, padre!" then focuses on perforating the bugbear that made her bleed her own blood.
Summary:
If 20 hits, one hit, one crit for a total of 84.
If 26 hits, one crit for 55
Dorrin: 11
Brostic: 10
Arryn: 24
Vexras: 19
Violet: 19
Antagonist: 11
Dorrin's bolts slam into the nearest bugbear, but they seem to do less damage than he'd have expected, almost as if its body was rejecting them. Worse, her wounds begin to heal immediately! As Brostic heals everyone, Vexras rushes forward, slicing at the bugbear, who easily ducks under the blade. She pulls out her second dagger and slams it into the tiefling's side
Across the clearing, Arryn and Violet bring violence to bear on the other bugbear, though Violet's blow again seems to do less than she'd expect. Like the other one, its wounds begin to heal, and it pulls its second dagger to jab at the brawler. The blow slams home in Violet's chest, making her bleed much more of her own blood .
Aqua: 82
Purple: 38
Arryn gather more electric power and flings the bolt at aquabear.
x 1.5 = 30
Likely as not, the bolt sails high.
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"I'm going to make a rug out of your skin. Then you'll be a rugbear."
"..."
"Okay, that was too far. I'm sorry. By the way, are you with the Ironfang? Just curious"
Vexras throws up an arcane shield just as the dagger gets past his guard, but it's not enough to entirely spoil the strike. Despite this, Vexras keeps his opponent close and quickly intones a spell before driving his blade, now crackling and sparking, through the bugbear's abdomen and out her back. "Tit for tat," he offers quietly in her ear. He brings the blade around again in a quick arc for good measure as soon as he pulls it free, ensuring his opponent is down and stays that way.
HP: 32/51
AC: 24 (18 T / 16 FF)
Resist 5: cold, electricity, fire
CMD: 20
F/R/W: +8/+7/+7
Arcane Pool used: 2/7
Extend charges used: 1/3
PoP used: 0/2
|Prepared Spells|
Cantrips (4): acid splash, detect magic, mage hand, read magic
Lvl 1 (4): mage armor [X], magic missile [ ], shocking grasp [X] [ ]
Lvl 2 (4): mirror image [ ] [ ], scorching ray [X] [ ]
Lvl 3 (2): haste [ ] [ ]
Ongoing Effects
mage armor, extended (12 hours): +4 AC
arcane pool: +1 keen (2/10)
piranha strike: -2/+4
shaken: -2’s
Dorrin quickly reloads and turns his attention to the one on Violent, after seeing the tiefling slice his opponent neatly, and fires!
Brostic sees himself at the center of the battle.
He calls forth to Erastil to aid his friends by casting Prayer.
Brostic: 10
Arryn: 24
Vexras: 19
Dorrin: 11
Violet: 19
Antagonist: 11
Brostic calls down Erastil's prayer on his companions, and their assailants. It's not enough to help Arryn, but Vexras seems to respond like he was born to the faith, driving his blade into the bugbear's chest, and watching the light go out of her eyes. With that foe dispatched, Dorrin turns his attention to the other one, somehow managing to hit her through the trees with a killing blow.
A search of the two bugbears reveals each has a +1 shadow breastplate, two +1 punching daggers, five darts, a cloak of resistance +1, a ring of protection +1, and 43 gp, as well as a small leather badge with the symbol of the Ironfang Legion.
”Okay, what was up with those slugbears and their wounds healing on their own? Is there some sort of magic at play here?”
"Sure seems like it."
Violet keeps one eye on their corpses to make sure they don't get back up.
"Anyone mind if I hang on to one of these daggers till we get back to town. Could be handy in a pinch." She notes the badge. "We should bring this back to the mayor. May help with any remaining doubters."
As they finish packing up the loot, Violet ruminates, "Well, I guess we're on the right track if someone's trying to stop us, right? Let's get to that tower."
”Okay, what was up with those slugbears and their wounds healing on their own? Is there some sort of magic at play here?”
Shaking his head, "No idea, lad. That's a new one on me. I'm just hopin' they all don't do that or this war just got far more difficult than I care ta admit."
"Anyone mind if I hang on to one of these daggers till we get back to town. Could be handy in a pinch." She notes the badge. "We should bring this back to the mayor. May help with any remaining doubters."
As they finish packing up the loot, Violet ruminates, "Well, I guess we're on the right track if someone's trying to stop us, right? Let's get to that tower."
Shrugging, "You can keep 'em both as far as I care. And yeah, let's get movin'. If there's any more 'Rugbears' to take down then we need ta be the ones ta do it," he states plainly, although, if one looked hard enough they might have caught a hint of a smile upon the dwarf's face.
You manage to reach your destination without any further interruption: The tower itself is carved into the face of a 30-foot-tall basalt cliff.
You realize the tower was created using repeated castings of wall of stone and stone shape.
A small, damp cave opens into the face of a sheer cliff. Though twenty feet tall at its mouth, the ceiling of the cave slopes gently downward to a height of ten feet at its back. A sixty-foot-wide stone tower blocks almost the entire entrance. Oak splinters and iron banding lie scattered across the cave floor.
The walls of the towers are smooth and the windows narrow, though the cliff itself offers plenty of handholds.