"Tal'ariel, do you see that crack in the bridge? I think we can use that to take it down and slow down the army.
First we should tend to the captives, and search for any useful items the enemy had. Then destroy the bridge and head to Drellin's Ferry."
Zelligar begins descending the tower.
Iris dips her shoulder to one side as Dai's arrows whizzes past her and kills the last hobgoblin. "Good shot, whoever you are." She still looks very much like a goblin, though she may have forgotten about this tiny detail in the heat of battle.
The halfling rogue cleans and sheathes her blade. She draws her wand and begins using it to heal herself, Lavinia, and Dai before looting the nearest corpses. "You fought well. What are your names? Mine's Iris. Come, I will heal your wounds."
(DM's request)
(loot corpses)
(self)
(self)
(Lavinia)
(Lavinia)
(Lavinia)
Tal'ariel would have never noticed the crack on the bridge on her own. "Fantastic! It'll be no easy task to get an army across this gorge once we take this down. If we had an army, this would be a great chokepoint, too. But that's perhaps too much to ask right now." She begins to use her Infernal Healing wand on herself. She also has to pick up the Wand of Shield she dropped at some point. Eventually, she connects back with the others, including the escaped prisoners.
"Pleasure to meet you. My name is Tal'ariel, or Tal for short. Do you need food and water?" She pulls out some provisions and offers them to the prisoners. "I'm glad we saved you, but the trouble is not over yet. There's actually an army of hobgoblins that have begun marching, with plans to ravage Elsir Vale. If you can fight . . ." Tal'ariel looks around at the dead hobgoblins . . . ". . . rather, since you obviously can fight, we could certainly use your help if you are willing."
"I am Zelligar the Mystic, servant of Nethys. I have some ability with magic, including the power to heal."
Waves of energy radiate from his holy symbol as Zelligar uses his last Channel to heal Bran, Iris, Dai, and Lavinia - and the other prisoners if they are injured.
"Were these hobgoblins here your captors? Or did you encounter any that left? If you know anything about the other enemy forces, it could help us."
He turns to his fellow halfling.
"Well done, Iris! A deed of legendary daring. Staring down a dragon, tricking it, then slaying most of the hobgoblin force. With the leap from the tower for style? As impressive as Bran's feats were, I think yours will not be forgotten either."
Iris is unused to such high praise. She bows low to Zelligar, her smile threatening to engulf her whole face.
"Thanks for that. I didn't think anyone would notice. Sorry about sending the dragon your way. I thought the gorge would provide you with some cover. Bran sure fought impressively. I saw his exploits from the tower."
"Is the dragon dead? We may get some use from its hide, if we skin it carefully, and its blood, teeth, and claws may be valuable."
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Lavina looks about at all the dead creatures around them and tries to take in everything that had happened since she was first taken captive.
Responding to Iris: "My name is Lavinia Batharoy, I'm pleased to meet you. You are certainly quite adept at dealing with hobgoblins."
To Tal: "Nice to meet you as well Tal. I would appreciate some water if you have it. The stuff they gave us wasn't fit for drinking."
Lavinia listens to Zelligar's questions. "These hobgoblins were my captors. Sadly they all look alike to me, so I cannot say for certain if any different ones had left or came back. I'm sorry to not be of much use."
"Compared to what you lot have done, I'm not sure how useful I would be, but I would be more than willing to help Elsir Vale and get some revenge on them for taken me prisoner."
Lavinia takes in the sight of the large Bran heading their way. "Is that a half-giant or something?"
"That, Lavinia, is Bran. He's a big guy, but not usually that big. Tal'ariel's magic at work. And while he can run fast and jump far, he can't normally fly; my magic.
As you may have seen, Bran slew the dragon with his bare hands. He is quite good at what he does once can get his hands on a foe."
"Oh ho! We all fought valiantly! Now I really want to have that footrace Iris." He gives a wink to the halfling before she goes to scour the corpses. "I wouldn't worry about the dragon, nothing a little teamwork couldn't fix."
He keeps an eye out and retains the large form for a little longer before hearing the comment about his size and shrinking back down.
"Not a half giant Lavinia, just Bran, magically enhanced by the power of Nethys and Tal. Really any help we can get would be appreciated; I would hate what happens here to repeat, and frankly I think something much bigger is at work." He starts up toward them, "I'll take the praise though Zelligar, but you should share in some of it as well, I'd be as good as dead after that unfortunate plummet. I actually left a few of the hobgoblins on the tower unconscious, so we can always press them."
He looks at the man with the bow, "I saw you shoot from the tower, and who might you be? I sense your bow is as much a part of you as my arms are."
The other three prisoners emerge from the bushes, carefully approaching you now that the battlefield is clear. All three of them look somewhat bedraggled, their clothes a little ragged and carrying a variety of stains.
One of them is a young woman, with matted dirty-blonde hair. Despite her obvious fatigue, her blue eyes sparkle with intellect.
She's coming towards you, and the two men are sort of following along behind her. There's a young man, slightly overweight with mussed dark hair, and an older, severe-looking bald man whose full, brown beard is streaked with grey. He looks just as well worn as the rest of them, but underneath the grit his clothes is of higher quality, his shirt fastened with buttons of mother-of-pearl instead of tied with leather thongs, for instance. His coat looks like it's stylish beneath the grime, too.
"Gods above, I thought we were going to die here," the girl says, by way of greetings, "Thank you! I'm Alice."
The black-haired man nods along, apparently willing to let her do the talking. "Greg." he grunts.
The bald man just stands there, not really looking at anyone.
Looking over to Bran, Dai answers him.
"My name is Dai, some call me Darkbow for the Darkwood bow that was a gift from the monastery where I grew up and was taught. The monks taught me how to become one with my chosen weapon..to feel it as an extension of myself, but your battle with the dragon...well it was beyond anything I have ever seen!"
"Lavinia, Dai, Alice, Greg, and... You, sir? What is your name?
Can any of you tell us anything about your captivity? Why they took you - slaves or sacrifices? Anything you overheard?
I don't know where you are from, but we are headed back to Drellin's Ferry. You can come with us if you like."
"Pleasure to meet you all. Unfortunately it couldn't be under better circumstance. There are marauders on the road and probably more war bands; it really would be safer to come with us and lay your burdens down a while." He turns to Dai when he hears the comment and he beams, "Thanks! The Strongman gave me a challenge and we persevered. I also fought a manticore as well; but truthfully I would love to hear all about that monestary. There is more than just strength and I could always do with more tales and training."
"If you don't mind, I'll try to clean you guys up." Tal'ariel starts to use some of her magics to clean up the grime, starting with the bald man.
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Lavinia looks over at Zelligar and tries to answer his questions. "Well, I'm rather embarrassed to say that they took me while I was sleeping. A patrol of them came across my little camp in the middle of the night. The settlements I was traveling between were too far to make it in just one day's time, so I had set up camp at my usual spot. Never had trouble there before, so I wasn't expecting any this last time. Stupid me, obviously."
"I can't say anything about what I may have overheard because I couldn't understand any of what they were saying. They hadn't really done anything to me other than a bit of rough treatment and then tossing me into a cage. I haven't a clue as to what they intended for me."
Iris looks inexplicably disappointed when Bran shrinks down to size. "So much for a foot race."
As the non-combatant freed prisoners approach the party and introduce themselves, she waves and says hi to them. "Hi, Alice. I'm Iris. Pleased to meet you."
Noticing the bald man's fine apparel, she steps toward him saying, "That's a fine outfit, Greg. You look like you've got some money. I wouldn't say 'no' to a generous reward for your rescue."
"Iris, I'm sure we'll find plenty of gold here from the hobgoblins. Can you open the small lockbox in the tent? I think Dai's arrows might be in there."
Iris sighs and says, "Fine, I suppose that will have to do." She enters the tent, searches the lockbox for any traps, tries disabling one if she finds it, then attempts to open the lock.
(check for traps)
(disable trap)
(open lock)
Dai follows the halfling into the tent.
"I found my bow on top of that chest, but I know nothing of locks. I figured the rest of my gear and the other prisoners effects might be in there."
"It might be. Stand back. This could be booby trapped." Iris's face contorts in concentration as she works the lock.
"So what can I do to help? I can't really patch you guys up or look for traps... What about the bridge? Did we figure out a way to halt the advance? I kind of forgot that was one of reasons for being here afterall."
"I spotted a crack in the bridge. It might take some time and effort but I think we can take this down. We can look around here for any tools we might use.
If we wait until tomorrow, I can prepare a couple of spells that might help."
"Once we get these people checked on, healed and settled down I'll go take a look for some tools."
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"Son of a satyr!" exclaims Iris. "Sorry this is taking so long. This lock's a bit tricky."
"Almost there," says the halfling rogue. "So, uh, tell me a little something about yourself."
Pop! After what seems like an eternity, Iris opens the chest.
Inside are a dagger, a pair of sickles, a case of crossbow bolts, a headband, a wand… Lavinia realizes that all her gear is here! There are also a pair of Small-sized firearms with all manner of odd attachments, and some other gear belonging to a gnome who was among the prisoners (and who you realize was using Inspire Courage to aid you all during the battle). Said gnome has collapsed from exhaustion and is sleeping quietly for now. Finally, there is a bag of goods that belong to Dai, contents of said bag to be determined soon.
Searching the hobgoblins, you find quite a haul!
Each archer had three vials. Between you all, you identify these as potions of Cure Moderate Wounds. The leader had one as well, for a total of 25.
The dragon’s three remaining potions include Invisibility, Cure Serious Wounds, and Bull’s Strength. The dragon also wore a Belt of Mighty Constitution +2 and Bracers of Armor +4, and had six pearls (worth about 100 gp each) embedded in his scales. Finally, the hobgoblin leader’s breastplate registers as magical (+1).
Bran doesn't see anything that looks like demolition equipment, but his Traveler's Any-Tool can form excellent stonemasonry tools (like a chisel) to attack the weak point that Zelligar spotted.
What do you wish to do now?
"Nice work, Iris!" After inspecting the goods, she starts taking some for herself. "Each of us combat-ready folks who cannot heal on our own should each carry some of these healing potions--I was needing some sorely during this battle and was lucky that Zelligar and his God could heal me!"
While Dai and Lavinia are busy getting their gear, Tal'ariel addresses the other prisoners. "So, Greg, Alice, and . . . what's your name again, sir?" The last comment being directed to the bald man. "Do you know what the dragon and his forces had in mind? We have heard that there is an army of hobgoblins on the march, and we must use all means at our disposal to halt it!"
The bald man finally replies.
"I am Jenk of Terrelton. A member of the Merchants' Council. I was investigating reports of raiders with a some of our warriors. The hobgoblins set upon us. Two of my men were killed and four fled. I was captured. I am afraid I don't speak Goblin, but one of them did taunt me about 'The Day of Ruin'. I assume that means when the army arrives. It was clear that these forces were just here to hold the bridge. Other raiders dropped me here and went back out again."
"Aye, I think we need to be more prepared and keep some of these potions with us. It seems as if our foes are a lot bigger and frankly, well-armed than we are." He walks over to Iris and sticks his hand out, "Please and thanks."
Bran patiently waits for Jenk to continue his tale before coming in.
"Which way did these raiders go? Its imperative that we know this right now." "If it doesn't involve this bridge we need to take it out and stop their advance, just give me the word."
Jenk replies, "They went back towards Drellin's Ferry. A band of about ten, I think. One week ago."
Alice speaks up.
"Well, for sure, others come and go, and the goblins, they'd go on both sides of the bridge. Our towns are all on the east side. Not much west except for the lake, the swamp, and the mountains, but they must have a reason to cross. The Dwarf-road goes to Cheliax, the Old North Road to Isger, and yes we get a little trade that way, but nobody really lives there, at least not Vale people, and they grabbed us all on the side where normal folk live. No offense, elf miss."
Alice continues:
"So they raid east to get captives, you know. Didn't hurt us for sport, nor work us as slaves neither. Food for the dragon, I thought. Well anyway some of them went back east to raid more, and some went west. My guess is their camp lies west. For sure, goblins live in the Wyrmsmokes, everybody knows that."
Greg nods. "Yeah."
"That sounds like the band that we hit before. I think we need to make a choice of how to proceed, and regardless of the outcome we need to escort these people back. This is much too dangerous for them." He heaves a heavy breath, "And I fear there may be another scrap coming along, though this time is going to be far worse. I think one of us may have to stay with Drellin's Ferry; there is bound to be injury, disease and plenty more prisoners and refugees coming."
He takes a moment to collect himself and thinks about the situation regarding the now marching armies. "We need to deal with this army, but the question is can we even hit a major camp? Thoughts?"
He waits for the others to provide input so he can get a better judge of the situation.
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Lavinia happily gathers up her gear, looking through it carefully to make sure everything is still there.
Still being new to this situation, she listens attentively to what the others are discussing, trying to form her own opinions about this situation.
"Is there anything else we can do to slow them down and chip away at them if we can't handle any major assaults? Besides this bridge are there any other weak points in their path that we can take out? Any more bridges or narrow passes we can start avalanches at? Any supply lines we can cut? Any good places where we could lay out traps?"
"We could try to shore up the villages, to at least buy some time and make them pay in blood for their invasion. Or maybe form up a guerilla band to harass the enemy."
dot
Both Zelligar and Shiska know that there are larger towns in the Vale that might be able to hold off an army, depending on how big the army is and how much time the towns have to prepare. Brindol and Dennovar, in particular.
Having some knowledge of what town guards and militias can do in a defensive position (from his training as a constable). Bran estimates that Drellin's Ferry could hold out if the "army" is no more than 200 or so.
Getting a better idea of the enemy troop strength would seem to be helpful.
Shishka and been resting but being able to rest during all that conversation is rather difficult.
she finally gets up and tucks away her weapons and various gear. So lets get things all clear, we got some sort of army approaching. size unknown, like some of the people here. we got a few towns that can handle a siege, well at least for a short time, depending on the size of the enemy.
Now what we have among us is, a few former prisoners, at lest one con artist crook, <glancing toward Jenk> and several really cool adventurer types. But we have something that they don't. pulling out her pistol with the grapple hook attachment, A Grappling Hook!
after a short pause, oh yeah, I'm Shishka, owner, and proprietor of Shishka's Gadgets Galore Emporium in Terrelton.
she barely gives others a chance to respond, she looks toward the bridge, we gonna blow up this bridge? I got a bomb. Luckily thos goblins never figured out how it works. any ideas where this army might be at? maybe if we had a battle plan or something that would be great?
Jenk snorts in derision.
"Really, Shiska? Taking the word of a religious fanatic? I thought you gnomes were smarter than that."
The beautiful pale woman who was freed with the other visitors walks over to the tent to retrieve her gear. While attaching her armor, you notice fine silvery traceries all over her body. They glint in the light as she buckles on the scabbard to a very fine looking longsword.
"May the light of the Inheritor guide your way. I am Mikail, Seraphim of the first sphere of Iomedae. I was sent to your sphere to help and protect those of good against the forces of evil. I would like to join your group to assist in any way I may. My powers of healing are considerable, as is my fighting prowess."
"The Ferry can hold up its own defense against 200 people at best, and that doesn't include if another of those savage lizards are with them. We are working against the clock here, if we don't act its only a matter of time until this ritual of Tiamat happens... We need more information. I would recommend we scout out the area and see what they actually have, if they're just footsoldiers or if they have other monsters among them." His training had been minimal but the same principles apply for criminal bands as enemy soldiers, information is king, and he confidently states the opinion.
Bran glances at the gnome and the man called Jenk, "Con artist? Look, whatever your quarrel is it may have to wait. If you want to help me with this bridge and slow their approach lets start moving." The large man heads toward the bridge and flicks out his any tool to find himself a pick of some sort, "Otherwise I'll take a while and do this on my own."
He passes by the seraphim as she leaves the tent and lets out a whistle. "Mikail, I can't speak for the others but if the Inheritor wants to send help, it would be foolish to deny her." He continues walking to a weak spot, "But I've got some work to do, be a little."
"Agreed, you would be most welcome Mikail. We'll need all the allies we can muster to face this threat."
As Bran begins his work on the bridge, Tal'ariel has a thought. "Wait, do you suppose we could rig the bridge so that it'll support a few people at a time but collapse when they try to cross in force? That'll give us a way to go back and forth, while also creating a surprise that might take out a few of those scum."
She considers whether her idea has any hope of success.
Shishka ponders the situation, don't know anything bout this Tiamat stuff, but one question here. If we blow up the bridge, then how do we scout the enemy troops? I mean, if they are on the other side then we will need the bridge to get to them, and if they are on this side then what is the point of blowing it up.
unless of course you are not gonna scout the enemy forces and just make stuff up when we warn the Vale, which I am ok with since I do that a lot anyway.
looking to the group, which really has no idea about, Also, considering I am a bit new here, how about a re-cap so we are actually all on the same page here, so I can actually suggest something relevant.
Tal'ariel, you could try that. It wouldn't be very precise in terms of collapse weight, since something as simple as hugging one side or walking down the middle could affect that number. But with an order-of-magnitude difference (like 6 adventurers versus a warband of 60) you could be pretty sure that the latter would collapse it and the former would not. You, Zelligar, Mikail, and Shishka all have Knowledge (Engineering), and to the degree this is a special use of Disable Device, a few of you have that too. So I'd say you could Take 10 and get this done -- it would take a couple of hours.
The biggest risk is that the enemy might spot the weak point and/or the sabotage. If the bridge is largely intact, a spell like Stone Shape might enable them to easily repair the damage and cross. The weak point wasn't that easy to see... but it's a risk.
Or, you could go scout now and then destroy the bridge behind you on your way back to Drellin's Ferry. Shishka's point is good -- it's pretty hard to get to where you think the camp is (remember you have Koth's map) if you take down the bridge. It would be quite a ways around to a place where you can ford the river.
Know-Engineering:
Mikail follows Tal and Bran over to the bridge and examines the same areas that they do.
"I was trained in siege warfare and finding weak spots in stonework was something I was not too bad at...too bad my brother is not here. His magic could bring down this span with little trouble."
After discussing with Mikail, Tal'ariel nods. "Yes, I'm quite sure we could rig this bridge to collapse under the weight of an army. I'm fine destroying the bridge when we get back, but I don't want to just leave the bridge alone while we're scouting. To be perfectly honest, we can't assume our scouting mission will be a success."
"Aye, with the last few days... I'm not sure anymore if we can assume survival. I don't want to be negative but its just realistic y'know." He begins to tap away. "I don't mind doing the heavy lifting to help them back out afterwards. Swear it."