"No, Lacall, we've already been caught! Let's just stay here and talk," you hear Loran say. There's a brief scuffle, then you can see the two wrestling with one another.
Your second charm puts an end to that! Lacall dismisses the mist and both boys stand there, looking abashed. "Sorry, ma'am," Lacall says.
"Now this is very unfortunate, isn't it boys?" Imperia says sternly, for all that she has perhaps five to seven years on them. "What on earth were you planning to do, breaking into the jail like that? Iomedae is a goddess of law and honor. Where is the honor in what you are doing right now? This is underhanded at the very least! Did someone put you up to this?"
"No, it was our idea. We acted alone, without Mother's permission," Loran says.
"We're sorry! We know it's against Iomedae's teachings, but the archbaron is not acting in accordance with reasonable, respectable laws! So our defiance is just!" Lacall says. "Right?" he adds, a bit uncertainly.
"The law is the law young man." Imperia replies sternly. "Iomedae, Abadar, Asmodeus, they all teach respect for the law. You do not have to agree with it, but it is the law and must be obeyed. You are both going to be in serious trouble for this. At least your mother was not responsible, that is something. How could you do such a thing though? To act against your goddess and all that she teaches!" Imperia shakes her head in disappointment. "Most upsetting. Now tell me, has your mother been in contact with this Angel Knight? The foolish person seems to be responsible for the whole town going mad!"
The boys shake their heads, confirming that Sword Knight Allamar has had no contact with the Angel Knight.
Soon enough, Jordanna arrives with a contingent of Fex's guards. Still under the effects of the charms, the boys resign themselves to their punishment. They are taken into custody and put in separate jail cells alongside Caswella. The guards confiscate their gear and hand you two potions of cure moderate wounds they had in their possession.
The commotion quickly draws the attention of the townsfolk, including Sword Knight Allamar. The priestess is incensed by her sons' arrest. "You cannot do this! I demand they be released into my custody!"
"Sword Knight Allamar, may I have a moment with you?" Imperia asks, having taken care to be standing away to one side - as a witness, not an instigator.
"Now my maid and I saw your sons breaking into the jail. I sent the girl to get the watch, as any respectable citizen should. It was a credit to your sons that when I spoke to them both they were very polite and admitted their wrongdoing." Imperia says, trying to keep the Sword Knight calm. "Now we both know that your sons have broken the law, thankfully it is merely a trespassing charge as I see it. They drank too much and broke into the jail on a dare - foolish, but understandable in young men and certainly not done with any ill intent."
She waits for Allamar to indicate that she understands. "I would be happy to act as a witness to these events - it is what happened afterall, and while I imagine your boys would both receive some sort of slap-on-the-wrist punishment it need not be a worry." She continues. "That will not happen though if the town becomes unruly. The Archbaron, from what I have learned, is a man who values control. If there is outcry against him then he will respond and I imagine he would do so with force - most likely to your sons detriment. They seem like nice young men and I'd hate to see anything happen to them. Therefore it is imperative that we, and you especially my Lady - well respected as you are in the town, take steps to ensure that nothing goes wrong. We don't want your sons to become the Archbaron's scapegoats do we? Let us work together to calm the situation down and ensure that Longacre does not rise up in flames or end up crushed. Please, for everyone's sake."
Tileavia is still livid, but she cannot find fault in your words. "Very well. But I insist on visitation rights while they are being held in jail. And I will lobby the Archbaron directly to absolve them of any wrongdoing."
"Perhaps we should visit the Archbaron together in the morning then?" Imperia suggests, "Then the three of us would be able to straighten the whole thing out? I don't want to intrude of course but as the only witness I imagine I ought to be there to explain how things turned out."
The Sword Knight nods. "Very well. We'll go together."
***
The next morning, you have a meeting with Archbaron Fex. Allamar pleads her case while you mostly remain silent aside from giving your witness testimony when asked. The archbaron decrees that the twin boys will remain in jail for now for breaking and entering, but no more serious charges will be levied against them at this time. This seems to satisfy Allamar, who thanks Fex for his mercy. Once back in Longacre, she spends the majority of her time with her sons in the jail, bringing them food and praying with them.
***
The morning after that, Razelago pays you a visit at your home, appearing suddenly nearby. The fly-like devil alights on a sofa as he addresses you. “The archbaron is concerned. Every day more of Longacre’s citizens turn to the rebel cause—not because they’re afraid, but because they haven’t been given enough reason to fear. To that end, Lord Fex wants to make an example of someone. This afternoon, his men will drag Caswella Runder into the town square, pronounce her crimes, and publicly execute her. They are erecting a scaffold as we speak. The archbaron wants you to witness the execution to ensure the people fully grasp the price of treason."
"Then the Archbaron is a fool." Imperia says bluntly. "I've been working hard to neutralise every possible source of anger in this town. Doctor Rohalendi is preaching the virtues of obedience to the law. Priestess Allamar is distracted by her sons being in jail and has no time for sedition. No-one listens to Kels the minstrel and the closest thing to a conspiracy is people getting drunk in the taverns and mouthing off. That happens anywhere! Go and tell your master I am coming to see him!"
With that Imperia marches out of the room. All this hard work and the Archbaron intends to ruin it all. Fool of a man!
She collects Jordanna and heads straight for Scarlet Crown, intent on making the man see sense.
Fex is less than happy to see you when you arrive. He forgoes the usual pleasantries as he regards you over steepled fingers. "Razelago has informed me that you... disagree with my plan?"
"Immensely." Imperia replies, matching Fex's directness. "I have been working extremely hard to quell sources of dissent within the town. Tell me Baron, where is this rebellionsness? Where are people turning to the rebel cause and what are they doing to jeopardise your rule? Fliers? Opening a barred gate? In Kintargo these would not even register as disobedience! The publican is respecting your edict as to the number of people in his house. The Sword Knight is quelled as long as you have her sons in custody, and frankly you could hold it over her head for plenty of time after that. The slip who made the fliers is in jail and no threat to you. I have the town Doctor preaching the importance of following the law - where is your rebellion?"
She glares at Fex with unabashed ferocity. "The worst thing you can do right now is give the town a martyr. Erect the scaffold if you must - the mere sight of it should give people pause, the fear you seem to think is so necessary but for now they have no cause and no leader. If the Angel Knight wants Longacre to rebel they'll have to march into the square themselves and demand it. Then you problems are over. But if you hang this slip then you put a name on the rebellion and give it a cause - vengeance!"
She takes a deep breath and makes a show of recovering her poise. "The rabble will always mutter in taverns over their ale. If they do not then they are letting out their feelings elsewhere and that is when you must worry. But as long as that is all they do, and as long as they have no leaders to incite them or concrete actions to rail against then they will only talk."
She sits back, trying to de-escalte the conversation a little. "You know as well as I do my Lord that men are both lazy and cowardly. To inspire them to risk life and limb then you must give them a cause and leadership. I have deprived them of one, surely you can see the value in not giving them the other?"
Fex taps his fingers together as he considers your words. Then his face splits into a grin. "Well said, Lady Tanessen. Well said. Congratulations. You have passed my test."
The archbaron leans back and chuckles. "Of course, I already considered all of the arguments that you presented to me. I never had any intention of actually executing the slip. I wanted to see how you would react to a poor plan. I wanted you to prove that you are not the sort who follows orders blindly but who can think for yourself and offer good ideas. Now I know for sure that we are on the same footing.
"I was right to put my trust in you as an ally, Lady Tanessen. I look forward to the work we will continue to do together."
Imperia inclines her head in order to avoid her scepticism showing too obviously on her face. The word idiot rings in her ears for a moment before she can smooth her countenance out.
"A formidable plan indeed My Lord. I must apologise for the rudeness of my entrance."
Retreat, conform, let him see what he wants to see.
"Do you still wish my attendance in the square this afternoon, my Lord? It may be that some of the more... foolish members of the community gather for the non-event."
"If you desire. I do not expect there will me much more dissent than 'rabble muttering into their ales,' as you so eloquently put it. Have a pleasant day, milady," Fex says.
Once clear of the baron's manor, Jordanna growls savagely. "You should have let me rip that smug grin off his ugly face. And that stupid mustache, too!"
"One day." Imperia replies soothingly. "One day."
True to her word she does go to the square that afternoon as part of her usual walk around town, just in case. Afterwards she plans to visit the hospice and spend a little time with Gerya and her patients. The work is oddly fulfilling and she wasn't lying when she spoke to Gerya about both the Tanessen military heritage and her feelings regarding ex-soldiers.
Three more days pass with little of note. Thanks to your diplomatic efforts, the rebellious sentiment of Longacre is largely unnoticeable. Though there is no doubt that a few bad eggs continue to work behind the scenes to cause trouble...
Indeed, that afternoon, Cimri Staelish comes up to you with some news. "So, you remember those old folks that are the keepers of Castle Gate? Bo and Dent? Well, I hear they were moving with supposed stealth through the streets, heading towards the Longacre Armory. Don't know what they're getting up to in there, but it can't be good!"
"Oh dear." Imperia says with a sigh. "Why do fools never learn? Cimri, dear. Run and get the guard. Jordanna and I will go and see what our favorite septuagenarians are up to."
With its narrow windows and sturdy timbers, this squat, graceless building looks like it was constructed to withstand a siege. Over the short stairway climbing to its double doors hangs a sign that reads, “Armory.”
The armory has two entrances: the sturdy front doors and a smaller side entrance. The front doors are closed, locked, and barred on the inside. The side entrance seems much easier to gain access through, only being locked. There are also two saddled horses tied up nearby.
"Do you have any skill with locks Jordanna?" Imperia asks. "It is not something I have ever studied."
”On it,” Jordanna says. She drinks her mutagen and an extract of shield before working on the lock with her tools. After a short time, the lock pops open.
Hundreds of weapons and pieces of armor line the walls of this tiled hall, each display attended by a descriptive note or plaque. At the north end of the hall hangs a collection of tattered naval signal flags, the largest stitched with a grinning ram’s skull. Beneath them, a red ballista crouches atop a wooden platform, the siege weapon aimed down the length of the hall.
Bo and Dent are here, organizing various weapons into piles for distribution. They curse when they notice your arrival. ”Dammit, we’ve been made!” Bo shouts. ”The ballista!” Dent replies, eyeing the siege weapon!
"Let's put a stop to this here and now." Imperia decides, striding forward as she summons her magic to incapacitate the oldsters.
Jordanna misses with her initial spear thrust, but she stabs Bo as the two oldsters run to the ballista. They swivel to aim at Jordanna, but the pregnant changeling dodges the bolt as it shatters against the far wall!
Dent resists Imperia’s spell!
Imperia thinks something rude and turns her attention to Bo. "Why is your wife shooting us?" She asks, "We've done nothing wrong!"
Jordanna stabs Bo again as Imperia charms Dent. ”No! Stop! Don’t hurt my Bo! Stand down, honey, we lost.”
Bo winces in pain but nods. ”Damn. Alright, we surrender.”
Imperia holds up a hand to forestall Jordanna's further wrath. "Very well, come quietly and you will be handed over to the guard with no further issue."
By meeting the guard outside she hopes to get a chance to see what the elderly couple were up to.
Bo and Dent each have: potion of cure moderate wounds, screaming bolt (3); leather armor, mwk heavy crossbow with 10 bolts, short sword, 28 gp.
It seems the elderly couple had been organizing some of the armory’s most useful armaments into bundles for distribution to the town’s citizens. Currently they have enough mismatched weapons—mostly swords and polearms—to arm half of Longacre.
Touring the collection, you find the following exceptional pieces: a masterwork spiked breastplate, a mithral heavy shield, one arrow of dragon slaying, a masterwork greatsword, a repeating light crossbow, and a scabbard of honing.
With Dent charmed, you are able to interrogate him easily. He explains that Jask Coalimber— the former sheriff’s most veteran deputy—approached them and proposed the scheme to use the armory’s stores to arm the townsfolk. The hope was that no one would think anything of Bo or Dent going into the armory and that the couple could prepare the weapons with minimum fuss. Other, more able-bodied, rebels are scheduled to arrive at dusk to actually transport and distribute the weapons. The plan is for them to drive a cart to the armory’s back door, enter, take the bundles of weapons that Bo and Dent prepared, and escape to their hideout in the Whisperwood in the twilight hour before curfew.
"Well then..." Imperia says meditatively. When the guard arrives and Bo and Dent have been removed she explains the situation to the sargeant and suggests that he use this opportunity to set an ambush for the rebels. She requests that as many as possible be taken alive - pointing out that the Archbaron will no doubt want to question them.
She and Jordanna meanwhile make off with their bounty.
That night, the archbaron's guards earn their pay as they ambush the two rebels that arrive to claim the weapons, capturing both alive. Neither one is made of stern will, and after interrogation, they give up the location of their hideout: the ruins of Fort Estazano in the nearby Whisperwood.
The next morning, Archbaron Fex summons you to Scarlet Crown. "We finally have the location of the rebels' base," he says. "The time to strike against the Angel Knight is nigh. I want you to lead a contingent of my guards to Fort Estazano. Root out the traitors and kill their leader. That should put an end to their rebellion once and for all!"
"As you command Archbaron." Imperia replies with a gracious bow of her head, mentally planning to bring both Cimri and Jordanna with her. She then goes back into town to speak to the blacksmith and check on the progress of her newest commission - a breastplate made of the finest mithril. The smith has been well compensated to work fast and hard, and he has produced a burnished masterpiece!
Imperia tries it on in the shop, so that the smith can help Jordanna put it on her and she has to admit - it looks rather dashing!
potion of cure moderate wounds, screaming bolt (3); leather armor, mwk heavy crossbow with 10 bolts, short sword, 28 gp.
a masterwork spiked breastplate, a mithral heavy shield, one arrow of dragon slaying, a masterwork greatsword, a repeating light crossbow, and a scabbard of honing.
801 bolts + 10 LA + 350 xbows + 56gp.
250 breastplate + 1141 arrow + 175 gsword + 125 xbow + 250 scabbard. Total: 3158. Spend 2250 of that on a mithril breastplate, using the shield to provide half the mithril. 908gp left.
Decked out in your new mithral breastplate, you lead Jordanna, Cimri, and a half dozen of Fex's guards out from Longacre in pursuit of the rebels.
Constructed around 4620 AR as a staging post for Chelish bandit-hunters launching forays into the Whisperwood, Fort Estazano did not survive long. Only 3 years after its completion, the brigand Diravae the Gold Drinker set off an explosion in the fort’s armory that crumbled its tower and set fire to most of its interior. The Chelish army abandoned the fort soon after. In the decades since, Fort Estazano has been the setting of numerous ghost stories, a campsite for far-traveling wanderers, and a base for brigands and adventurers.
Only the open wooden gates and a few narrow windows suggest that the heap of rocks ahead was once something more. A small gatehouse to one side still stands intact, though it seems in danger of collapse beneath the light covering of moss on its stones.
"Cimri, you should take the stealthy approach." Imperia commands suggests. "It seems unlikely that there would be no sentries if this truly is a rebel base."
Cimri quietly slips into the ruined fort. After a few minutes, she returns. "There's only a single sentry that I saw. A slip up in the gatehouse keeping watch. She didn't see me."
"Tell me exactly where she was." Imperia commands, a plan forming in her mind. Once Cimri has done so she nods. "Very well, I will use magic to enter and take control of the slip - once that is done you will hear a duck quacking. That is your sign to come in.
The smell of rotting wood fills this sagging guardroom. Arrow slits face the approach to the fort, but also into the ruined courtyard within the fort’s walls. A rusty metal crank juts from the southern wall.
You see the halfling woman keeping watch on the surrounding forest. You quickly cast your spell to try to take control of her mind--
--but she somehow manages to resist! "Huh? What was that? Is somebody there?" she asks, shaking her head.
You quickly impose your will upon her again, and this time, the charm takes hold. She smiles at you. "Oh, hello! I'm Jexxi Six Splinters. Are you with the resistance?"
"Indeed I am." Imperia says with a smile. "I was told to come here, but there don't seem to be many of us around. What's going on?"
"This is just a waystation," Jexxi explains. "A decoy to confound the rebellion's enemies. The Angel Knight's true base of operatoins lies deeper in the forest, in an abandoned bandit camp called the Court of Spears. You should wait here until it gets dark in case somebody followed you. Then you can slip away to the Court of Spears. There's a path around back that will take you there."
"Thank you Jexxi." Imperia says with a smile. "Is there anyone else here or just you?"
Once she's extracted everything she thinks she can from Jexxi she suggests that the two of them head downstairs together, having cast ghost sound to warn her soldiers in. Since Imperia was kind enough to offer to carry Jexxi's bow for her there isn't much of a fight to be had and Imperia makes no move to prevent the soldiers carrying out the sentence for rebels.
"Just me," Jexxi says, as you lead her to her fate.
Indeed, the guards swiftly apprehend Jexxi and take her into custody, along with her possessions.
In the main part of the ruined keep, a weak manticore lairs! It puts up a fierce fight but the guards are able to slay it, taking heavy injuries. Inside its lair, you find some more treasure.
There is no point pushing on with injured men and prisoners, so Imperia commands a retreat, after having Jordanna do what she can for the guards. Timing their return to be at dusk and therefore less conspicuous Imperia makes her way to Scarlet Crown immediately to explain what she has found to the Archbaron.
"The main rebel camp is at somewhere called the Court of Thorns." She explains. "A trail near the fort will lead there but we must consider what our goals are. If the goal is simply to secure the Angel Knight then the best policy is likely to simply infiltrate the camp. IF you want to destroy them then I recommend committing a hefty contingent of your guard, a dozen or more men I would think."
Having delivered her report she sits back to await the baron's response.
"I believe that if the Angel Knight were to fall, the rest of the rebels will lose their spirit and disband," Archbaron Fex. "Do you think you are up to the task of infiltration? You would be on your own without support should things turn sour. I have the men for a frontal assault should you prefer that option. Some would likely die, but it is a small price to pay to restore order to my town."
"The risks of an infiltration are considerable..." Imperia says, thinking out loud. "The majority of the rebels would likely disperse as you say, but that does not prevent them from continuing to cause trouble else where. I believe a massive strike is the correct decision - this is your chance to demonstrate your power Archbaron. No-one can deny the legitimacy of the target and it does not fall in Longacre itself, but is not so removed for the gesture to lose meaning. I will do what I can to ensure that the Angel Knight is taken alive, if you wish."
Fex nods. "Then the Angel Knight will feel my wrath!"
***
Later that afternoon, you lead a squadron of a dozen armed guards into the Whisperwood, following the trail to the Court of Spears. The Court is the former stronghold of a bandit prince concealed amidst the boughs of a stand of titan aspens. The enormous trees rise from the shadowy, scrub-covered forest floor. Overhead, amid the powerful branches, an array of hanging platforms, swaying bridges, and wooden structures create a camouflaged forest fortress.
A large lift can be lowered to provide access to the fortress, though it is currently raised. A rope hangs down to a smaller platform in the center of the fortress, and another ladder leads to a dilapidated hutch on the far side of the clearing.
As you approach, though, you can see a figure on the small central platfom suddenly leap to its feet and begin ringing a large kettle bell! The obnoxiously high-pitched bell clangs and clamors, alerting the fortress to your approach. "To arms, men! To arms! The enemy is up on us!" cries the figure, who you recognize as Riley Kels!
You can see a pair of men on another nearby platform readying their bows!
"Close formation!" Imperia snaps. "Keep your shields high to protect the crossbowmen! Jordanna, Cimri, with me!"
The rebel sentries and Fex's guards exchange missile fire as the three of you dart over to the main platform. Cinri hurls a grappling hook up to the platform and quickly clambers up the rope. A few moments later, she begins to lower the lift.
The noise gets Riley Kels's attention, though, and the bard cries out. "Stop that! They're lowering the lift!"
Jordanna reacts quickly, hurling a bomb up at the bard, but it shatters harmlessly against the platform he is on.
Riley begins to chant a lengthy spell!
Imperia considers charming the man, but he's a terrible singer so she shoots at him instead...
Imperia's bolt breaks Riley's concentration, then Jordanna hurls another bomb, this time scoring a direct hit! Riley screams and falls, his clothes smoldering.
Cimri finishes lowering the lift!
In anticipation of more combat, Jordanna drinks her mutagen. Infused with the feral essence of the catlike fey she killed earlier, the concoction gives her decidedly feline features, her ears becoming pointed, her nose becoming that of a cat's, and dark fur sprouting across her entire body. She lets out a growl, flexing her bulging muscles.
"Shame, you might have been talented... with practise." Imperia says cooly, dispatching Riley from point blank range. "Cimri, we need to get the guards up here as quickly as we can. We move undercover and we move as one."
The guards continue firing to cover their movement as they head to the lift. Cimri turns the winch, raising the whole contingent up to the platform over the course of several seconds. Some of the guards have minor wounds from arrows but all are still in fighting shape. They form up around you and begin moving through the fortress. Those on the outside keep their shields raised to deflect the occasional arrow that heads their way from the defenders in the watch posts.
You cross a hanging rope bridge to another platform, where a quartet of tiny leshies makes a defiant stand! Armored in pinecones and thick leaves, the leshys gleefully attack the invaders to their fort with explosive seedpods and their spears--
--it doesn't end well for them, but at least it is mercifully brief.
Crossing another bridge, you come to a large platform split in two by a sizable crack. To the north, two shacks hug the trunk of one of the largest trees in the grove. A pair of ropes, one above the other, stretches between structures on both sides of the gap, forming a treacherous connection to the southern portion of the platform.
The sentries who had been taking potshots now gather here to stand against the guards. Two spellcasters stand on the southern platform, supporting the sentries with their magic. One is a human man wielding a quarterstaff, while the other is another changeling! She grasps a battleaxe in one hand while casting spells with the other.
The guards can handle the rebel warriors, but they'll need help against the spellcasters!