A quick check back at the town hall can tell you that the remaining two Black Arrows are sleeping soundly under the watchful eye of Shalelu.
A hot meal, dry clothes, and drinks later, and you all get a solid night's rest. The morning dawns with a steady rain pattering against the windows of inn. Dark heavy clouds hang over the region, and thunder rumbles in the skies.
An acolyte meets you at breakfast. "Excuse me. The Mayor sent me to ask you to see him this morning soon as you can. Those rangers are awake, and they have questions about their missing companion."
At twilight, Tomaru goes outside to give his devotions to Desna. He asks Erastil to ease Shalelu's reunion with her 'father'. He beseeches Pharasma to judge Kaven fairly, as he does not know Kaven's full tale. Tomaru is sure that she'll know how he truly feels, though. He ends his prayers by asking Sarenrae to guide the group in their upcoming battle against the forces of evil.
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Tomaru goes to the chapel with the others. Without knowing how much they know, he decides to be diplomatic to start. "We did what we could, but he did not make it."
"He made a run for it," Lym says, her voice sombre and not diplomatic at all. "Might you happen to know whether he was a gambling man?"
That evening: Kellen orders the promised round of drinks for everyone and when the time comes, raises his glass. "Cheers, folks. We've done away with a horrible trouble to these folks and brought some hope in the making," he toasts - hoping to bolster them.
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In walking to the chapel the next morning, his tone is not as positive. "Best one of you tell 'em. If they ask me, they'll be getting the whole tale - and we know how that ends for the traitor."
He remains quiet unless asked by the two men when they meet them. He also gives some quiet scrutiny for any further lies from them.
"What the lass said. Well, it was mostly a swim for it but you get the meaning. And the lad's right in the fact he didn't make it. Because the other lad," he nods toward Kellen, "told us he was eaten by an alligator gar." Thordak shrugs. "Sorry. But it looks like he betrayed you all, else, why would he run, right?" He looks to them both, wondering if they might know anything useful.
The two men watch you carefully as you tell the tale of Kaven's escape and demise. You can tell that trust does not come easy to men of the border regions. Shalelu sits in the corner of the room, her long legs and boots propped up on a chair.
Jakardros begins, his gravelly voice cutting through the patter of rain on the windows. "I don't know who you are, and I don't care. You saved us from that nightmare, and we have no way to repay you for that." He looks at you with a stare that seems to go a thousand yards. "Mind telling me why one of my own would need to 'run for it' from his rescuers, try to escape by swimming in that lake, and - apparently - die for his troubles at the hands of a monster fish?
As Jakardros speaks, Vale watches each of you intently, his huge hands flexing and unflexing, as if he was gripping the handles of his war axes.
"If it weren't for your rescue, and the word of the mayor here, I'd call you liars." he growls.
"What say you to that?"
Shalelu opens her mouth as if to say something, then snaps it shut, and waits for your reply.
"I say this," Lym says, and she starts to recount the whole harrowing tale regarding the use of Thassilonian magic, the Goblin uprising in Sandpoint, what the group found at the ghoul-infested manor house, their hunt for the murder cult, their battle with the serpent-woman and the note that lead them all here, to Turtle Ferry, where they deduced the fate of the people marked with the Sihedron Rune.
"That is what has been going on with us," she concludes. "If your companion bore the Rune, then he may well have been in the snake sister's thrall down to his very soul. If that is the case, then his actions may not have been entirely his own.
Now, it is your turn. Tell us how you came to be held by those disgusting Ogrekin. What has been happening up at the fortress?"
Jakardros listens carefully as Lym tells your tale. As he does so, the tension that had built up slowly dissipates from he and Vale. When she is finished he breathes a deep sigh and looks at Vale, who nods.
"We..." he starts slowly, "we saw that he had such a mark. He always took care to keep it hidden. He must have, because we didn't notice it until we were in those pens."
"Seemed like an odd symbol," Vale adds, "but we were a little preoccupied with getting tortured and eaten."
The grizzled ranger nods. "Kaven came to us like most do, on the wrong side of the law. He took to the life of a Black Arrow soon enough, and the change did him good." He stands, wincing a bit as he gets to his feet. "For 45 years, the Black Arrows have taken in men just like him. Men trying to escape their past." He looks over at Shalelu, his face grave. "Men trying to forget." Then he turns to you. "They either make the grade or not. We do not have time for anything less. If they do, they become men of iron discipline. Our task requires no less. Punishment in the Black Arrows is swift and severe. Most are flogged and exiled, betrayal is met with death."
Lightning crashes, and thunder rolls over the lake.
It's quiet for long moments. The sound of the rain driving against the stained glass is punctuated by the crash of thunder.
"What happened that night? The night...the night the fort fell?" Shalelu asks softly.
"I have told you, I think. I seem to half-recall recounting the tale in brief in that...barn. While we waited for your friends to destroy the Grauls."
Jakardros grinds his teeth in frustration. "I will be brief then. As second in command, it was my responsibility to lead the long range patrol that month. I will not bore you with the details, other than the patrol was quieter than most, but not overly so. We encountered several delays, and that made us late in returning. When we did, we found the fort burning, and swarming with those filthy Kreeg-clan ogres. I deemed that there was still resistance within, and so led my 20 men in an attempt to re-take Rannick from them. We failed. The survivors and I fell back, trying to reach the town to warn them of the catastrophe. In our weakened state, we were easy prey for the Grauls. I will not recount that experience. You saw enough of that to understand."
"For 45 years the Black Arrows were undefeated, unbowed in our task of protecting the region. In one night of red ruin, our tradition died." He sits back down, eyes cast toward the floor. "Tell me. Heroes. What does an old ranger do with that?"
"He sucks it up," Lym says, her voice harsh, "and realizes his tradition isn't dead as long as even one man is still willing to carry on and teach new warriors."
Her eyes flash dangerously behind the veil.
"And possibly, if he has not done so already, he answers his daughter's very pressing questions. Although that might have to wait until the two of you are private."
"Perhaps an old ranger asks for aid in regaining that tradition. The Black Arrows are not the only folk with mettle enough to fight when it's time to fight. Surely there's someone, somewhere that would help you in this struggle. Perhaps even in this very room."
"He doesn't blame himself for what's happened; you had a traitor in your midst. And now that traitor has been punished; there can be no regrets." Kellen utters from his imposed silence.
He then turns and sweeps his hand towards the windows and the town.
"The Black Arrows are still needed; those folk out there still need protecting - from the ogres and from whatever marked them and your former comrade for sinister purpose. You may be bowed, but you ain't broken yet."
Lastly, he looks towards the others in the room. "And the priest and the wizard are right, if it's help you need, you'll have it."
"Do I presume from your words Kellen, Fort Rennick is our next destination. More horror to witness and behold. For the sake of this town and it's people, I will be with you, what good I can do against such foes." says Rhianni resigned to another enterprise into conflict and death. "Both Jakardros and Vale, you have the chance to regain the honour and glory of the Black Arrows, by leading us to the Fort. Your knowledge will be a great help, if we are to oust the current incumbents and install you once again as protectors of Trurtle Ferry. Do you want that opportunity?" the varasian women jangles her bells, taking a set of cards from her bag.
Taking the cards, she picks one, "Hmmmm.... The Empty Throne" another card is laid down beside ..."The Crows....one last to turn" she says her face concentrated on the pack in front of her. With some relief she smiles and her voice lightens as she sees the last card turned. "The Big Sky..." She waits a few moments before pronouncing .... "The cards tell me that the murderous owners of the Fort Rennick will be beaten back, there is change afoot.... Fort Rennick, will be changing hands ... The Empty Throne currently occupied by The Crows will be taken by The Big Sky which brings change. The cards have spoken."
Jakardros stays silent, contemplating your words. His face a mask of guilt and doubt. Long moments go by while the rain continues outside. Finally, Vale stands up and speaks.
"I am Vale Temros. Among other things, I was the engineer of the Black Arrows. No one knows that fort better than I. Give me an hour, and I will have a sketch of Rannick together for you." He lays a firm hand on his leader's shoulder. "We will assist in any way we can, if you are willing to help us."
An hour later, he presents you with this: sketch of the fort.
At the Rhianni's words, Kellen nods. "After what we've seen, I ain't going to let those men's work be in vain. There's a fort full of hungry orges and this town will be a feast for them unless we act. And...you've done alright as far as I am concerned, Miss."
To Vale:"Well met, Vale. I'm a bit of a tunnel rat engineer, so any insight is appreciated."
Upon seeing the map sketch, the wheels begin to turn. "Well, unless Thordak's one of them dwarves that can make a catapult out tree limbs and twine, I ain't much for a frontal assault. So, I'll ask you gents some of the questions that might help:"
Guessing that's a river or moat in front of the fort. Does it go under or behind the fort for an escape tunnel?
What's that hook you drew between the buildings? Is it a cave or an escape tunnel?
I'm counting five buildings and I'm guessing the big part is a keep? What's their story?
Lastly he glances towards Lym and Tomaru - recalling yesterday's actions in chasing Kaven. He also remembers Mami Graul's floating trick back at the farm.
Can we get above the fort walls and how is it shielded for spell attacks - say a fireball?
"I still need to review the Ogrekin's spellbook," Lym says. "Let me see what's in there first, and then I'll work out my spell selection for the day."
"Will one more day be enough to plan, prepare, and recuperate." Though he does not look at Vale and Jakardros when he says that last, but it is obvious that is who he means.
"I think we have time to do this right - perhaps some scouting before we make any full attack." With a sort of distant look he adds:"'Make no little plans...' my uncle used to say."
"Resting here for a few days will rejuvenate the spirit as well as making more thoughtful plans to oust the orgekin." Rhianni starts to write, uplifting verses, from the adventures of the Black Arrows, before their demise. Hoping to lift the spirits of the two men, as they retell her their stories and those legends from the company of rangers, as she hope to make them into more powerful and known legends and tales, to become part of the folklore of Golarian.
Vale works with Kellen's questions in some detail.
"The moat runs from left to right across the front of the fort. It originates as a waterfall on the left, then runs across, and eventually farther east it turns down into the river. There is a cave behind the waterfall, I doubt the ogres would have found it. A hole is cut in the wall halfway between the falls and the first gate, a cistern exit. The 'hook' as you call it is a canyon that leads up into the mountain. The buildings are what you would expect: wooden outbuildings and a stone keep."
Through all of this, Jakardros says nothing. Occasionally he glances over at Shalelu, who is listening intently to Vale's description of the fort. But every time she looks at him, the old ranger looks away.
"Resting here for a few days will rejuvenate the spirit as well as making more thoughtful plans to oust the orgekin." Rhianni starts to write, uplifting verses, from the adventures of the Black Arrows, before their demise. Hoping to lift the spirits of the two men, as they retell her their stories and those legends from the company of rangers, as she hope to make them into more powerful and known legends and tales, to become part of the folklore of Golarian.
"Resting here for a few days will rejuvenate the spirit as well as making more thoughtful plans to oust the orgekin." Rhianni starts to write, uplifting verses, from the adventures of the Black Arrows, before their demise. Hoping to lift the spirits of the two men, as they retell her their stories and those legends from the company of rangers, as she hope to make them into more powerful and known legends and tales, to become part of the folklore of Golarian.
"The moat runs from left to right across the front of the fort. It originates as a waterfall on the left, then runs across, and eventually farther east it turns down into the river. There is a cave behind the waterfall, I doubt the ogres would have found it. A hole is cut in the wall halfway between the falls and the first gate, a cistern exit. The 'hook' as you call it is a canyon that leads up into the mountain. The buildings are what you would expect: wooden outbuildings and a stone keep."
Kellen rubs a knuckle across his chin as he listens to the man's explanations - the look on his face the same as the others have seen when has picked a lock or disabled a trap. He then starts with more questions/comments.
-Does this cave lead into the fort in any way? You fellas know about it, so would it be trapped or blocked?
-The cistern exit - how accessible? Is it visible from within the fort - especially the first gate?
-Is there another way into the canyon - could we come in from the opposite end to get into the fort?
-As for the buildings, what were they used for? Stables; provisions; oil; housing?
At the last - he looks again at Lym with a smile: "Wooden buildings mean flammable and flame means damage and distraction. If there happens to be fodder or oil in one of them all the better."
Then he turns as much to speak with Jakardros as much Vale in his next set of questions. "As an officer of the Black Arrows, were there any weaknesses we should know about in the fort - something your men wouldn't have known? And...I hate to ask you harder questions, but during your attack, did you see a leader or chief who helped repel your assault?"
"Resting here for a few days will rejuvenate the spirit as well as making more thoughtful plans to oust the orgekin." Rhianni starts to write, uplifting verses, from the adventures of the Black Arrows, before their demise. Hoping to lift the spirits of the two men, as they retell her their stories and those legends from the company of rangers, as she hope to make them into more powerful and known legends and tales, to become part of the folklore of Golarian.
Kellen rubs a knuckle across his chin as he listens to the man's explanations - the look on his face the same as the others have seen when has picked a lock or disabled a trap. He then starts with more questions/comments.
-Does this cave lead into the fort in any way? You fellas know about it, so would it be trapped or blocked?
"The cave is hidden behind the waterfall. Only a few of us knew about it, and even those haven't been in there in ten years or more. It leads into the dungeons, and there are two locked doors between the entrance and the lower level. That's not the main line of defense though. There is a cave system full of shocker lizards between the falls and the lower fort. They pretty much stayed to themselves except during mating season. Then we used burnt birchbark to keep them from overrunning the lower levels. "
-The cistern exit - how accessible? Is it visible from within the fort - especially the first gate?
"Easy, if you can swim. it isn't very wide, though. Maybe a man's width. Yes, it can be seen from the gate."
-Is there another way into the canyon - could we come in from the opposite end to get into the fort?
"The only way you can get into the canyon from behind is to climb the mountain, or fly. Good luck, even we didn't try that."
-As for the buildings, what were they used for? Stables; provisions; oil; housing?
"The usual, a stable, a cookhouse, a barracks and guardpost."
At the last - he looks again at Lym with a smile: "Wooden buildings mean flammable and flame means damage and distraction. If there happens to be fodder or oil in one of them all the better."
Then he turns as much to speak with Jakardros as much Vale in his next set of questions. "As an officer of the Black Arrows, were there any weaknesses we should know about in the fort - something your men wouldn't have known? And...I hate to ask you harder questions, but during your attack, did you see a leader or chief who helped repel your assault?"
"There was a leader, a big ogre. He killed five of my men in a matter of seconds. He had a lot of help. A sorceress ogre too. She was uglier than most, but deadly. He says quietly.
Thordak listens to the conversation intently, his eyes narrowing at the mention of the big ogre and another that's gifted with magic. "A magic using ogre, huh? Well now I'm not sure on which to kill first," he says in absolute seriousness. "But I'm thinkin' the magic one."
Coming out of his reverie, Praxim asks, "Was Windstrike one of the Black Arrows who knew about the secret entrance behind the waterfall?"
Coming out of his reverie, Praxim asks, "Was Windstrike one of the Black Arrows who knew about the secret entrance behind the waterfall?"
"Not that I know of."
It leads into the dungeons, and there are two locked doors between the entrance and the lower level. That's not the main line of defense though. There is a cave system full of shocker lizards between the falls and the lower fort. They pretty much stayed to themselves except during mating season. Then we used burnt birchbark to keep them from overrunning the lower levels."The usual, a stable, a cookhouse, a barracks and guardpost.
There was a leader, a big ogre. He killed five of my men in a matter of seconds. A sorceress ogre too.
Kellen nods at all the information and also Praxim's own inquiries. "This gives us a start...I think a scouting mission may be needed, but that waterfall entrance sounds like the best way in."
At the mention of the leader, a cold look comes into his eyes. "A snake ain't no good without a head or two - killing them may be the key to getting rid of the ogres."
"So...what's the plan? These two aren't up for much fighting just yet, and taking keeps isn't really my thing, you know? I'm more of a huntress-type."
"The plan is to retake the keep and kill the ogres. Specifics are up in the air. We could ambush a hunting party and when more come out to investigate, slip in the secret way behind the waterfall and seek out their leaders and the snake woman. Or, you and the Black Arrows could attack from the north at range, take a few potshots at some sentries, declare a challenge that the Black Arrows are retaking the fort and avenging their slain, after which you run like hell while we slip in the waterfall. Or we could just slip in via the waterfall without the need for a distraction."
"I like the sneaking with no distraction idea. With any luck," Tomaru does a little sign of Desna, "we'll be done with our business before an alarm is raised."
"The Ogrekin's spellbook does not provide me many options in this regard," Lym says, apologetically. "Most of the spells in here are necromantic in nature; good for taking down enemies, but I can not cast them as readily as my own. Mind you, if you give me a day to prepare and Turtleback Ferry can provide me with the inks and vellum I need, I could scribe some useful scrolls..."
Looking at Praxim..."Really? Take the fort? What fort?" She says with a biting sarcasm. "Listen pretty-boy, I was out hunting Bad Guys long before you casually strolled into Sandpoint back when, all hero-like. I know we take the fort, its the details that keep us alive."
"Elves, sheesh..." she mutters, not quite under her breath.
Mind you, if you give me a day to prepare and Turtleback Ferry can provide me with the inks and vellum I need, I could scribe some useful scrolls..."
"Done and done." Mayor Shreed says, summoning an acolyte to the room. A few whispered words, and the young man goes running off.
"A frontal assault is not going to work for us, I don't think," Lym says. "It's a fortress. If the Ogres are getting their marching orders from someone with a brain, they'll have fixed whatever breach they came in by. I say we use the secret passage to get in; once we're inside the defences, we can raise all sorts of hell."
"Yeah I'm with the lass. While I myself prefer to walk up and start hacking, I'd rather we find another way in and hack 'em down from the inside... where they would least expect us," he says, losing himself in thought for a moment before finally returning to reality.
"I like the sneaking with no distraction idea. With any luck," Tomaru does a little sign of Desna, "we'll be done with our business before an alarm is raised."
I've already given my vote.
"I have some magic that might help, but doing so will deplete me of much, unless I have powerful object of power to use as well." says Rhianni. "I can at least dry you all after going through the falls." she smiles, almost breaking into a giggle, but the seriousness of the situation precludes having real fun.
Kellen has been mulling the plans and information - remaining silent for awhile. "I agree we use the waterfall route and sneak in and find who's in charge to weaken them. No problem there."
But I have some suggestions." He looks at Shalelu and the rangers as he speaks first. "There's a room full of shocker lizards between us and free access, if I understand correctly. I want have some of that birchbark handy in case we have to smoke them out our way. Hopefully - you folks can help us with that."
"Second is just to have a way to create a distraction in case we need one. That's why burning the buildings (with some magical flame hopefully) comes to mind as a backup."
"Lastly - if we want to press forward right away, I am alright with that. But I wouldn't mind some reconnaissance to see how many numbers we can spot without getting caught. That last part, I'd normally do on my own with an invisibility potion. But in a group its risky, so I'll follow your lead."
He shows his hands and shrugs as if to say 'that's it,' and then looks at the others.
"That Ogrekin's wand, backed up by my fire-spells, should help with the distraction," Lym says, a note of deep satisfaction in her voice.
The next moment, she claps a hand on Rhianni's shoulder and she pulls her into a rough, one-armed hug.
"And I intend for at least one of those scrolls I'll be scribing to give you some more firepower, little sister!
As for invisibility -- I have an excellent spell for that, one which will not just hide Kellen's presence, but allow him to attack without losing cover."
She nods while listening to Kellen, then a grim smile smile comes over her face.
"Say Vale," she says, "didn't you say the burning birchbark drove the hot-and-bothered lizards out of the lower levels? So you lit it from the inside?" She pauses, looking right at Kellen.
"What if we lit it from the outside, blowing it inward?"
Kellen's eyes light up and a wicked smirk crosses his face in realization Shalelu's suggestion.
"Usually when I case a place, I try to avoid trouble, but in these circumstances - I like you style, Miss. The lizards could cause whoever is in there a whole a lot problems if we make them swarm into the keep."
"Through the waterfall; find the entrance; and then push the lizards in using the birchbark - sound like a plan?" The last part he poses as a question to get confirmation from the others.
"One problem with chasing the lizards in," Lym says. "Even an Ogre is going to try and find out where they came from so they can plug up the hole. We might need that secret passage to remain secret in case we need to beat a hasty retreat."