Tayse breathed a sigh of relief as the ritual completed and the divine connection to the temple closed. So much had gone wrong tonight, and even more horrors lay ahead. She had nearly lost Tahlas, even. Each small victory gave her a measure of hope.
I can't let it happen again. I won't let them take everything from me.
"Farewell for now," she whispered to the collection of shrines as the chants faded from the air, her words just audible over the chaos coming from outside the temple. "We'll return as soon as we can. Phaendar will be back."
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Tahlas gasped with pain as suddenly he came rushing back into consciousness. He looked up and saw the undine man holding the arrow that had been buried in his chest. This man, Darby, had healed him. Gratefully, he let Darby help him to his feet. Once on his feet, he looked down at the bow that nearly ended his life. Quietly, he picked it up and slung it across his back.
Tahlas listened to the chanting as he silently offered up a prayer to both Milani and Iomedae for protection for his family and friends. As the ritual came to a close he looked around first at Tayse, making brief eye contact. The look on my big sis' face, I, I do not think I have ever seen her with that expression. Or have I? Something seems familiar but I just don't know. He then glanced at his friend Takkar, So much pain behind those eyes, and then to Darby, and this newcomer Arras, grateful to have friends and allies in this dire situation.
So many thoughts pouring like a waterfall through his mind...
One arrow brought me to the brink of death. Just one arrow. I have to save my family and friends. I wish my father was here. He was a great warrior. How did these Molthuni monsters get here with no one noticing? I can't let this town fall. I need to be better than this. Too much is at stake. I have already lost my parents, I can't let my sister and Tayse lose me and I for sure cannot lose them.
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Tahlas had a burning in his eyes as he sprinted into the forest, a literal fire if you were to look him in the eyes. Sweaty and covered in dirt and soot, he was exhausted, but fueled with a desire of revenge and hatred for these invaders. He had been the last one to the cross the bridge but only barely. He nearly had ended up in the river with the bridge. Confused and weary he thought to himself...
Damn, 32 survivors. Only 32 out of so many people. Did they take any as prisoners? We have to save them if they did, but so many dead. What else could we have done? My friends and neighbors dead in the streets without thought or care. This legion of monsters will pay for this! They nearly killed Tayse and Takkar as well as myself. The bridge in the river and my town on fire. They will all burn!...Damn!
Keep moving everyone! We will rest soon but we have to get deeper into the woods. Survival is our first priority.
Fatigued in both mind and body, Takkar continued into the woods, which he knew better than the town that was razed before his eyes.
It's happening again. Every time I build a semblance of peace and rest these monsters return and destroy what I know.
While exhausted from the ordeal, Takkar nearly couldn't think clearly. Last time he was a simple hunter, and through the goblins had learned to feel little but hatred and rage. He felt that growing in him once more. He may not have been able to save those in the village, but he swore revenge, just as he had those many years ago. He turned back for a moment as the company continued their retreat into the woods.
Prepare yourselves! Our moment will come! When I return I will kill you all!
Tayse slumped against an elm, allowing her weariness to take over. Phaendar was gone. The remains of the city were no longer visible through the forest, but she allowed her eyes to linger on the auburn glow of the horizon. She remembered the hole in the fence where Skenlin had hid with her from an irate pie baker, the house she had helped her mother prepare wood for, the branch that she would go to watch dances in the town square and the tavern where the hero Irgal Nirmath had noticed her, however briefly. All of it gone.
A part of her felt guilty about thinking of the town itself rather than the people who had just died there. But what else was she to do? Almost everyone she had known as a child had died years ago, and she had shied away from getting to know many of the townsfolk too closely as a young woman. The lifespan of humans was a cruel joke. Is this what it means to be Forlorn. It's getting to me. No wonder Father wanted to take me away from this. She growled at herself, angry. I promised myself this wouldn't happen. Get yourself together.
The refugees of Phaendar wandered bleakly through the edges of Fangwood, mostly aimless. Shock and horror were heavy among the small gathering. They needed to be somewhere away from their home, but their immediate destination hardly seemed to matter. Away from the Ironfang Legion. Away from death and slavery.
"How did those monsters get here without being noticed?" she wondered aloud. This wasn't the first time Phaendar had been attacked. But they had always been safe before, protected by time and distance. Or safe enough...
I almost lost Tahlas today... her thoughts started to wander as she forced herself back into motion. She afford couldn't fall far behind the other refugees. The memory of the bridge buckling beneath his feet was haunting, but she pushed the thought away. No, that's wrong. I still have Tahlas. I still have everyone I can reach. This time, I'll save them.
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Tight lipped with a grimace, Tahlas had to suppress the desire and feelings to weep and smash things. He wanted to talk to Aubrin and Takkar on the situation of where to go, but he could not get any words or sounds passed the lump in his throat. He paused momentarily and let the refugees pass as he visually checked them over. He knew they needed him to be alert and focused. He made eye contact with Tayse and for a moment, felt a sense of peace and comfort despite the situation. Despite all of the friends that had not made it out of Phaendar, Tayse had made it out. Tahlas and his sister Milanna were very close with their "big sis" Tayse. She was actually a cousin from their paternal grandmother's side somehow but the exact connection he was unsure. Growing up the three of them had been nearly inseparable though she was an elf and had been much older. That was when they lived close by each other. Tahlas turned and began making his way towards the front of the group. He thought to himself that the family ties here in Phaendar were probably why his father Tycael moved them so close by.
I nearly died twice today...Tayse was nearly killed as well as Takkar. I am grateful Milanna is safe elsewhere. I am glad she did not witness it. I wish my father were here. He would know exactly what to do. The last time I came this close to dying is when...
Tahlas quickly pulled the hood on his cloak over his head and turned away from everyone else. Hiding his quivering bottom lip and the large tears that began to well in his eyes, he reached up with his right hand and touched his left shoulder. Through the cloak and the leather, he let his hand slide slowly from his shoulder down his arm feeling the slight mangling and scars below. The scars that were a daily reminder of his parents demise.
The last time I came this close to dying is when my parents died. Takkar saved me that day. If not for him and the other Foxclaw scouts, and Chernasardo Rangers, not only would I be dead, but probably Milanna as well. First the fey and now hobgoblins. When will the things I love stop being taken from me?
Each day, an NPC can be assigned to perform one task
around camp or generally employ skills on the PCs’ behalf.
The most useful such projects include the following.
they’re trained in, automatically granting a +2 aid
another bonus.
• Build Shelter: Creating a shelter for one Medium-sized
creature requires a successful DC 12 Craft or Survival
check. For every 2 points by which the result exceeds
12, the shelter can accommodate one additional
Medium-sized creature. These shelters are simple and
cold, but enough to prevent a character from being
fatigued from lack of shelter.
• Craft: With access to the necessary tools, NPCs can
craft finished goods for the PCs upon request, using
the normal Craft skill rules (Core Rulebook 91).
• Forage or Hunt: Characters who spend a full day
hunting or gathering and succeed at a DC 10 Survival
check gain 1 Provision Point. Characters gain 1
additional Provision Point for every 2 by which the
result exceeds 10.
• Herd: Phaendar’s sheep and goat herds were scattered
in the attack, and many were lost in the Fangwood.
NPCs can recover a single goat or sheep with a
successful DC 16 Handle Animal check. Captive
animals can be maintained with a single successful
Handle Animal check (DC = 10 + the number of
animals) per day. Neglecting to maintain the herd or
failing this check indicates one or more animals have
wandered off. A captive animal generates 1 Provision
Point every 3 days in the form of milk (and eventually
cheese or butter), or can be butchered to immediately
provide 2 Provision Points.
• Scout: NPCs trained in Survival or Stealth can scout
the area or keep an eye on Phaendar for the PCs.
With a successful DC 10 Survival check, an NPC can
either discover one point of interest in the area (such
as an encounter location) or reduce the chances for a
random encounter by 5%. An NPC who succeeds at
this skill check by 5 or more can identify one danger in
the area of the encounter (if any exist).
• Stand Watch: An NPC can stand watch, attempting
Perception checks and even confronting danger while
the PCs rest uninterrupted.
• Support: One or more NPCs can follow the PCs to
assist them, carrying equipment, standing watch at
temporary camps (see below), and providing skills
the PCs may lack. NPCs hold back from combat, but
should the PCs lose a fight, the NPCs attempt to drag
their unconscious leaders to safety.
• Use Skill: NPCs can use any of their listed skills on
the PCs’ behalf, such as using Handle Animal to train
captured animals, Heal to provide long-term care, or
Knowledge to answer questions for the PCs.
Regardless of the refugees’ general mood, specific named
NPCs (if they survive) take on a helpful role within
the group and provide unique benefits so long as they
remain alive and friendly to the PCs, as follows.
• Kining: The stolid dwarf keeps everyone’s weapons
sharp and true, and though she grumbles, she trains
the refugees how to fight so they don’t panic. All the
refugees gain a +1 bonus on initiative rolls while
Kining remains with the group.
• Oreld: Oreld gathers materials from the woods to
make rudimentary potions. Every day, he can make 1
dose of bloodroot poison, one tanglefoot bag, or one
vial of antitoxin, but doing so prevents him from
working on any other tasks that day.
• Rhyna: She uses her herbalism training to find healing
plants and savory herbs while foraging, and treats the
small wounds the refugees suffer daily. Characters in
the camp heal 1 additional hit point each night while
they rest so long as Rhyna remains with the group.
Takkar sighed at the end of the day. He was used to the forest. In fact, the woods were more of a home than the city had ever been. The hitch was all of the people he was around all day. What's worse, they viewed him as some sort of leader along with the rest of the ragtag group. He didn't dislike their band, so to speak, but it was certainly a change being around such a group and having to make decisions that affected more than just him. He hadn't had this responsibility since his family was taken from him, and it currently hung like an old suit. While irritation was not uncommon and his head hurt probably as often as it didn't, he knew he had to accept the responsibility thrust on him at the moment.
Still, I can't wait to get back out and go my own way. It will be a shame to say goodbye to these warriors, though...they've certainly proved their worth. It's good to have someone watching my back...
Salutations Children of the Stone,
My emissary approaches you as
a sign of respect, but by now you
have seen my soldiers move unchecked
across this green and fertile land.
The Ironfang Legion means to make
all of Nirmathas a home to those the
humans would hunt, and turn those
same humans into our servants and
prey. You would be wise to join our
alliance. There is no room for neutral
parties when war is all around you,
and only one side in this conflict will
offer you strength and shelter.
As a sign of the protection the
Legion offers, kindly accept this
token of my generosity. Take your time
in making your decision, but I trust
you will come to the conclusion that
provides your small and vulnerable tribe
a future.
Kindest regards,
General Azaersi
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Tahlas thought to himself, how many days have passed since the fall of Phaendar?... how long before help comes?... is it possible to lead the refugees all the way to Tamran? Is Takkar going to find help? Was he caught by the hobgoblin legion?...
Overall, he has been keeping distance from most people in the camp lost in his own thoughts, fighting the overwhelming feeling that has been resting on his shoulders. He is glad to have comrades around him but the task at hand and the loss of so many of his friends and townsfolk has brought him low. He doesn't quite know how he feels about clearing the cave of the troglodytes and is worried what they might find deep in that pit. He knows that he has to do whatever it takes to bring safety to the people, to his friends, and to his cousin Tayse. He knows that she has been alive much longer than he has but because of the way she ages, being an elf, she is barely an adult. After all, he is barely an adult himself. He is worried about how all of the bloodshed and fighting will affect him and his cousin in the long run.
Advance scouting group 3 reports
We've scouted out a number of strong groups making their way slowly to the legions base. We feel it would be best to tackle a number of these to dissuade the others from joining against us.
Pick one of:
We've found Two Massive terrifying lizards, their majesty was a sight to behold, though there was a wretched smell of decay about them.
OR
A group of strange cultists. The land seemed to wither slightly where they went.
Pick three of:
As best we can tell it seemed to be a humanoid Bulette, having no regard for anything in his way.
A fierce large armored nagaji and his huge turtle but with a giant scorpion tail with a club at the end.
A stoic looking man that seems part stone. Has a strange rock on his forehead. He's carrying a massive sword that's as big as he is.
I simple looking soldier, nothing seemed remarkable about her really, but her aura seemed that of a master.
A tranquil man, but we sensed strong magics. He was difficult to track as he always seemed to ahead of where he should have been.
A band of mercenaries, they probably possess a variety of skills and abilities. While no one seemed special their movements were amazingly in sync with each other.
A lady leading a horde of various creatures. Their numbers and types seemed to vary every time we spotted her.
And finally, A couple that each seemed to be skilled in might and magic, we saw a magic tome as well as a holy symbol in their possessions.
Tayse would be offended by the withering cultists, so I'll choose that one.
For the others, I'll pick:
* the humanoid bulette
* lady with horde
* might & magic couple
Ah, this question was brought up, the fights are all separate and on different days.
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The cultists imo... especially forest decay... they seem like quite the blight.
And the other ones I kind of want to fight them all haha
I like the ones Nate listed but my 3 choices would be...
1. Might and magic couple
2. Simple female master soldier (flip her to our side!)
3. Humanoid bulette or band of mercs or Lady horde.
I could see some of these coming up later haha.
Some of these ideas definitely will stick around, they are fights I'm really wanting to do sometime. Some are more generic.
Like I'm excited you guys want the Bulette, I've been excited for this concept for years.
So we have
Withering unless Cameron wants lizards to tie up, them my "random" choice :)
Lady with Horde and human Bulette are locked in. And Might and Magic are the third unless Cameron comes in and wants to tie with Turtles, then who knows which you'll face.
This adventure ends following the PCs’ triumph over the
warlord Kosseruk and the destruction of the onyx tower,
cutting off the remaining soldiers from reinforcements.
With Kosseruk and most of her sergeants dead, the
remaining soldiers become disorganized and spread into
the surrounding hills, eventually working their way south
to rejoin the major forces stationed around Phaendar.
In the aftermath of these events, Longshadow assesses
the damage dealt to it and moves forward, collecting
refugees from other Hollow Hills communities as well
as slaves taken by Kosseruk’s forces.
With the Ironfang Legion’s attempt to take Longshadow
thwarted, the PCs have bought some breathing room. The
Legion takes some time to regroup, and other forces in
Nirmathas undoubtedly see the assault on Longshadow
as an eye-opener to prepare for more hobgoblin attacks.
But the question remains as to how the PCs can move
from their defensive position to try taking the fight to
the Ironfang Legion in a more meaningful way.
Whether the PCs succeed in defending Longshadow or
not, Kosseruk’s death costs the Legion dearly, and Azaersi
responds by posting an official bounty on the PCs, initially
offering 15,000 gp apiece for their capture or deaths.
The defeat of Kosseruk’s army leads to the capture of
several hobgoblins, as well as a handful of morlocks allied
to the Legion’s cause. The PCs find information pointing
to the morlock warrens southwest of Longshadow, either
through these interrogated prisoners, or the documents
found in Kosseruk’s command center. Thus far, the
Ironfang Legion’s true secret to success has been its
ability to cross vast distances and attack by surprise by
means of the mysterious obsidian towers, and the only
hope of slowing the hobgoblins’ advance or striking at
their central force lies in unraveling the mystery of these
structures. Kosseruk’s notes as well as the strange runes
that cover the tower walls all point to dwarven origins,
but the truth is buried somewhere in the besieged
dwarven city of Kraggodan, far to the south.