The orc falls in a flurry of claws, but the drummer is able to dodge the sling bullet.
Amelia, not much of a fighter, finds another wounded soldier to get back on their feet.
Truly uncomfortable with the situation, Drek takes a step away from the half-ogre, and attempts to stick the drummer (not the drum) in front of him.
But the drummer shifts slightly as Drek pushes the blade forward, and it skitters along the side of the drum, directed away from the drummer.
Amelia decides to add her healing to Drektan to repair the vicious shot he received.
The halfling and mount tear up an orc, then things start to turn bad. Kunala has a scream rent his ears and blood comes out dazing him . The others try and land hits, but it is for nought. Emerald gently falls like a feather to the ground from the top of the tower. A dramatic entrance if there was one and projects her voice:
”We can both win here. You get by us, we head out through that hole in the wall behind you.”
The half-orc drummer nods. ”Works for me.”
Emerald says to you ”You are officially reassigned to caravan guard duty.”
You realize letting them through is bad for the fort, but then you were hired to escort caravan. And no one wanted to be hit by a large great axe.
Emerald's negotiation had stopped the fight for now, but it appeared the orcs waited to see what you were going to do.
Amelia finds Emre and gets her attention.
"Do we run?"
"what's the plan here, our payment is with that caravan but..... this fort wont last without us" he says although his face is saying but we might not last long with the fort either. as he reigns in Maff for the quick respite Emerald caused.
Tacitus sighs to himself at Kunala's decision, It's always Death or glory with these younger types he muses to himself before rearing up Maff and roaring "DEADEYE TAKE YOU!!!" as he hurls another bullet at Orog,
and reaches back and gives a tug on Maff's Tail, yelling "the drummer Maff!" causing the Giant Skunk to step up, about face and release a stream of putrid green liquid from his backside, aimed at the drummers face!
Kunala attacks the orog and hits him badly. He is hurt and steps to attack Drektan.
Order of Action
Kunala
ENEMY
Drektan dodges the orog's huge axe, but the orc hits him in a vital spot with a falchion and he falls in a pool of his own blood. The falchion seemed to strike him directly in the neck.
"No truce it is, the drummer says!"
Another ear splitting scream erupts in Kunala's ears.
The skunk steps back to avoid the reach of the axe and the sling hits the orog wounding him badly. The skunk hits the drummer and he recoils.
Emerald renews the inspiring song as the truce seems broken after rushing up to Drektan. "OOH, I thought we were gonna be good."
Erme advances and attacks the orog from reach narrowly missing.
Order of action
Amelia
Kunala
Enemy
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
And his will clearly states to pass his goods on to him. That is how we did it way back. Hoping to use starting character wealth as a renewable source of gold into the campaign.
Amelia, seeing Kunala hurt and Drektan dead, rushes in behind the duelist and lays her hands on his back.
"Finish this," she commands him as healing energy flows through him.
For the second time in less than two minutes, the cat slumps to the ground. This time there's no gurgle: just a slow, steady flow of blood from his neck.
Tacitus' heart lept out of his chest as he watched seemingly in slow motion as the cat who he had failed to get a name from was no more.
The enemy retreats in full disarray after the last attacks, the orogs eye is glazed over and he suffers from multiple cuts. The drummer retreats in a sickened condition. Amelia's healing blast seems to fully heal Kunala and take the fight out of the orcs as they run towards the hole in the wall. One orc cuts past Fiona, the orog and drummer return the way they had come.
Fiona can still act before the retreat
The field is yours and the fort seems to sense victory is at hand.
Emerald is saddened, and says "That was a brave sacrifice--you put your own lives ahead of others!! I just wanted to get us all out safely, I kinda felt responsible for you."
Emerald nods "Our next stop has a nature shaman. If we get there, you can probably borrow from Malin against your reward to have his spirit transferred to whatever vessel nature wants of him. This will probably consume almost the entire amount, as it is not cheap. I thought I had gotten us out of this, but it was not my choice to sacrifice any of you."
The fight is over and the defenders clearly prevail. The counter attack captures the catapult intact significantly increasing the defenses of the fort. The captain salutes Kunala "Thank you for holding here. Your decision to sacrifice one of your own to hold here will probably be told many times over."
He looks serious as he unbuckles his sheathed sword and hands it to Kunala. "We can exchange swords as is a Mivan tradition with my family to account for a debt of honor. It's not the wielded but the wielder, but I hope this one helps you out."
As the caravan is loaded Kunala is impressed with the workmanship of the cold iron aldori sword. Emerald seems to wrinkle her nose at the exchange, and the caravan is being readied for travel at first light.
After this dusk battle, sleep is a welcome relief.
As the group prepare to rest Érme speaks out, her expression hard and solemn voice intoned with frustration;
"I did little in that battle to turn the tide, nor save our companion. While I am no soldier, my training is martial. My value to you all fell short. It will not again."
Jasper speaks to all of you at the first break "I have been withdrawn and secretive, but I had my reasons. The death of my brother and other events have force my hand--and I reveal myself. My brother was Jasmalus and he was a merchant. I am a special Brevan agent reporting directly to the king. I was to pose as my brother and secretly scout the borderlands and track orc movements.
In my small book here, I have all my military notes. It points to one conclusion: Moving troops and supplies in the dead of night our enemies have set up a secret base within these lands. The raids have covered up the plot to set up a strong point in our very lands.
Someone has betrayed my position with the Brevan command, and the orcs attacked my brother SPECIFICALLY. Only a few knew of my ruse, and it means a TRAITOR IS IN OUR MIDST!!
I cannot deliver this book myself. You must visit one of the king's scouts in the area named Jeremiah at the Willip sanctuary and deliver this book to him."
Jasper smiles and say "Let me show you tomorrow."
The caravan heads out to the sanctuary at first light and arrives before noon.
The caravan makes a detour to get to forest of incredibly high redwood trees with dense foliage surrounding it. You arrive at huge lodge made from once was a large tree that resembles an over 100 foot diameter tower that tapers as you go up the massive length. The caravan stops at the large clearing in front as you meet Sarah Jean, a very old dwarf with a large twisted redwood staff. Children of many exotic races play everywhere including kobolds, goblins, orcs, avian, catlike, and emaciated humans that look undead.
Jasper let's Emerald do the introductions, but points on his journal map to a site with six trees in a "v" to meet the agent.
You enter a large comfortable room with much natural light from many windows. The inside walls are smooth and made of tree wood. The dwarf invites you to sit. "I have been running this orphanage for so many years. I take the children society cast out. I also deal with the darker agents of nature, and they have been active. The forces against you have set up a secret base in an abondoned mine not far from here."
You enter a clearing, and Jasper has his weapon drawn. Expecting to see an agent he sees a six year old girl that is scared. The bushes rustle and a lizardman appears with a nasty bow.
The field is yours and the fort seems to sense victory is at hand.Emerald is saddened, and says "That was a brave sacrifice--you put your own lives ahead of others!! I just wanted to get us all out safely, I kinda felt responsible for you."
Tacitus shoots emerald a dirty look,"I seem to remember us being responsibly for YOU. not the other way around." he says bitterly, clearly angry over the loss of a companion he failed to even get to know.
The fight is over and the defenders clearly prevail. The counter attack captures the catapult intact significantly increasing the defenses of the fort. The captain salutes Kunala "Thank you for holding here. Your decision to sacrifice one of your own to hold here will probably be told many times over."
He looks serious as he unbuckles his sheathed sword and hands it to Kunala. "We can exchange swords as is a Mivan tradition with my family to account for a debt of honor. It's not the wielded but the wielder, but I hope this one helps you out."
Taddy approaches Kunala after the exchange after he is admiring the sword,"A fine work of art, One you certainly deserved and your daddy would be proud to see you wielding, I'd bet an Elk on it." he says while puffing on a pipe he had packed recently.
As the group prepare to rest Érme speaks out, her expression hard and solemn voice intoned with frustration;
"I did little in that battle to turn the tide, nor save our companion. While I am no soldier, my training is martial. My value to you all fell short. It will not again."
Taddy shook his head in disagreement, "You did as good as any of us, That was a fight we never should have been in but had no way to avoid." he said gently, trying to cheer up the half orc,"I'm finding the chaos of real battle seems to have an affect on my own abilities more than I expected, at least more than it ever has when I was hunting game or fighting off a hungry predator." he says into his pipe, reflecting on the last few weeks. It seems a poor soldier does a hunter make....
Jasper speaks to all of you at the first break "I have been withdrawn and secretive, but I had my reasons. The death of my brother and other events have force my hand--and I reveal myself. My brother was Jasmalus and he was a merchant. I am a special Brevan agent reporting directly to the king. I was to pose as my brother and secretly scout the borderlands and track orc movements.
In my small book here, I have all my military notes. It points to one conclusion: Moving troops and supplies in the dead of night our enemies have set up a secret base within these lands. The raids have covered up the plot to set up a strong point in our very lands.
Someone has betrayed my position with the Brevan command, and the orcs attacked my brother SPECIFICALLY. Only a few knew of my ruse, and it means a TRAITOR IS IN OUR MIDST!!
I cannot deliver this book myself. You must visit one of the king's scouts in the area named Jeremiah at the Willip sanctuary and deliver this book to him."
Taddy awoke early and went outside for his morning puff, when he returned inside Jasper began to speak and reveal some truths so he listened quietly. It's never as simple as it seems, even if it already seems complicated "Condolances again on your brother Jasper. It seems to stand that this traitor likely caused, or at the very least helped cause the death of our unnamed compatriot. If delivering this books helps settle that score. I will help." he declares.
Hearing Jasper's confession Kunala is a little surprised, he'd just thought the man a fop and a cad, apparently there was more to him than that. As fellow extends the book, Kunala raises an eyebrow, asking "Is there anything else we should know about the 'Willip' Sanctuary?"
Taddy looks at Kunala as he asks his question, then nods in agreement before looking back to Jasper expecting an answer, "The lads right, you've already revealed your hand, leaving anything else out that could help us help you doesn't seem wise."
Emerald laughs at Taddy's comments after the fight.
"I tried to talk us out of a fight that has us one short now. That's not on me. I also will be leading us to Sarah Jean, and she can help bring Drektan back in his intended form. You decide if you want to pay the price or not. We will see who is responsible for Brevan property--this slavery concept is abhorrent to me. Maybe he doesn't count to you as
a real Brevan, but he does to me. Maybe I'll take care of this ritual and own him."
Emerald purses her lips in a cute but petulant manner and does not just one, but two casual hair flips with her head.
Emerald laughs at Taddy's comments after the fight.
"I tried to talk us out of a fight that has us one short now. That's not on me. I also will be leading us to Sarah Jean, and she can help bring Drektan back in his intended form. You decide if you want to pay the price or not. We will see who is responsible for Brevan property--this slavery concept is abhorrent to me. Maybe he doesn't count to you as
a real Brevan, but he does to me. Maybe I'll take care of this ritual and own him."
Emerald purses her lips in a cute but petulant manner and does not just one, but two casual hair flips with her head.
Slavery? What is she talking about.... Taddy didnt remember ever seeing slavery in any real form out here, not since he escaped Cheliax and the Keel Plantation all those years ago.
Nodding at Taddy's observation, Kunala drew the sword. Still unused to the 'eternal' flame he holds the sword by the grip, looking at the two two entwined pikes. "Your right it is quite a work of art." He looks at the blade a moment longer, as he sheathes it, "I should have asked if his family named it."
"Aye I'm sure the did, Pike are fighing fish right? Perhaps its sometihng like the Pikes Strike, Hehehee" he chuckles at his own joke.
a
Finding the variation in children at the orphanage truly interesting, Kunala realized they were splitting the party. Having a vested interest is speaking with the woman who may be able to bring the catfolk back to life, he also realized that some of them needed to speak with this agent. Looking from Emerald to Jasper to the others, he asks, "I'd like to stay with the body and meet this shaman, would anyone like to go with Jasper?"
"Me an Maff'll go with Jasper if you are looking into restoring our feline friend inside." he said, turning maff towards Jasper.
Amelia is quiet after leaving the fort, and Emre notices that she does not sleep well that night. The death of a companion she hadn't even known the name of hits the kindly acolyte hard.
When the topic of returning Drektan to the living comes up, Amelia finally speaks.
"What price can be placed on someone's life? I'll gladly forgo the coin to help him," she says.
Amelia follows Emerald to the dwarven shaman's home. She's struck by the odd assemblage of races and wonders at the children at play.
Jasper smiles and says "Let me show you tomorrow."
The caravan heads out to the sanctuary at first light and arrives before noon.
The caravan makes a detour to get to a forest of incredibly high redwood trees with dense foliage surrounding it. You arrive at a huge lodge made from once a large tree that resembles an over 100-foot diameter tower that tapers as you go up the massive length. The caravan stops at the large clearing in front and you meet Sarah Jean, a very old dwarf with a large twisted redwood staff. Children of many exotic races play everywhere including kobolds, goblins, orcs, avian, catlike, and emaciated humans that look undead.
Jasper lets Emerald do the introductions, but points on his journal map to a site with six trees in a "v" to meet the agent.
The ebony-skinned half-elf examines the tree with interest. Following Amelia, Fiona climbs up the massive plant. She sits and looks around at the interior.
"How many children are under your care?"
The meet at the marked spot revealed a scared 6 year old girl and a lizard man in the bushed. Then the girl jumps in the lizard man arms and says "Mister Iggy save me."
Japer's calming actions deescalate the situation and lizardman speak with lots of sibilant sounds like a snake:
"I am the agent of the royal house, long live the Swan. I am supposed to take whatever package you deliver up the river to Brevoy immediately."
The young girl reveals she wasn't supposed to be leavesdropping in the forest, but she overheard agents talking with a man with a scar. The description perfectly matches Sergeant Krayquer's description, and Iggy agrees to stop at Greatwall to make sure the captain there knows and reporting to him before personally going to House Lebeda.
Those entering the house sit in the parlor while two large gorillas bring in a large steaming kettle of tea and cakes baked with honey and some wrapped blue-grean paper thin layers that are quite crunchy.
Sarah Jean explains:
"I have set up a sanctuary where those not accepted by polite society can have a place to grow up free. I also send those unhappy with their current body or have fatally exhausted their current body to an appropriate vessel. In this way I provide a pathway for that spirit to be in touch with the natural forces and learn valuable life lessons not possible with a single body experience."
"I have not been happy with Brevoy's encroachment on the wildlands and the resultant counter forces put the wildlands in the middle between the fey and Pitax. Nevertheless, I continue to help those in need when I can."
Sarah Jean explains:
"I am in my sixth body, and I now share my enlightenment by offering renewal to Emerald and her friends. Would anyone like to leave their body and find another?"
Emerald produces Drektan's body and agrees to pay the customary fee.
The meet at the marked spot revealed a scared 6 year old girl and a lizard man in the bushed. Then the girl jumps in the lizard man arms and says "Mister Iggy save me."
Japer's calming actions deescalate the situation and lizardman speak with lots of sibilant sounds like a snake:
"I am the agent of the royal house, long live the Swan. I am supposed to take whatever package you deliver up the river to Brevoy immediately."The young girl reveals she wasn't supposed to be leavesdropping in the forest, but she overheard agents talking with a man with a scar. The description perfectly matches Sergeant Krayquer's description, and Iggy agrees to stop at Greatwall to make sure the captain there knows and reporting to him before personally going to House Lebeda.
Tacitus watched quietly, smiling at the innocence of the little girl and the contrasting information she was reporting. "Is this Jeremiah?" he asks Jasper.
Amelia nibbles on a pastry, her guilt and depression quickly being washed by curiosity.
"I've heard of transmutation magics, but you seem to be talking about a more permanent form of change than that, one that can also bring people back from Phrasma's Boneyard. How does it work? How powerful are you," she all but blurts out before remembering why they are here and her manners.
Fiona doesn't partake in any of the offered confections or drink. "Ahh... I'm content in my own skin, but thanks." She's quiet as Amelia asks about the logistics behind Sarah Jean's power.
With the caravan having completed its deliveries of critical supplies to the outposts and settlements and the documents to detail all the movements within of the enemy near the trade route safely on the way along the river to Brevoy by lizardman courier, you have completed your mission.
Jasper and Emerald congratulate you on your success and wagons are disassembled somewhat and placed on rafts pulled by domesticated alligators to travel the last week back to Greatwall without event.
Sarah Jean explains the ritual as she crushes up some very expensive spell components to chant and gesture over Drektan's body. There is small hum that builds to a louder hum, and you fell a rush of heated breath leave Drektan's body and circle around you before quickly departing.
Sarah Jean than takes Fiona to show the larger activities in the grove including gardens and animal enclosures without locked doors. "In the immediate area we have about a hundred children. I have smaller sanctuaries my followers run throughout the edges of civilization."
Sarah Jean provides a detailed map of the old Cragson mines that she had given to Jeremiah Ignatius, the Brevan courier.
Jasper explains "You are worthy to be granted these charters to set up your own kingdom in the Riverlands to be a loyal vassal of Brevoy. You will be given aid and advice to get started. You can begin this immediately, or eliminate the headquarters Pitax has set up in our lands."
END OF BOOK 0 Part 1 Choice to begin Book 0 Part 2 or skip to Kingmaker Book 1
Érme also politely declines the offer of a change of body, instead asking more on the nature of the ritual they are observing;
"I am curious how this transaction of soul and body works with the tithe to be paid to Pharasma? How too are the new bodies procured? Are they mere simulacrums, conjured and filled..."
At Kunala's suggestion the inquisitor nodded.
"I would be prudent to weaken any competition ahead of pursuing our own endeavours. Pitax have proven themselves ambitious and resourceful. We would likely earn their enmity, but it is a worthy trade should their schemes be stymied."
"They have also proven themselves brigands," Amelia adds as the subject of what to do next is brought up. The ritual and the way Sarah Jean talked about civilization encroaching on the wilds had left her with questions, some born of curiosity, others mush less benign in their implications. Having something unambiguously bad to set herself against would be a good distraction from her troubling thoughts.
"I say we deal with the Pitaxi first. We need to lance that boil before the poison dooms any ventures to failure and violence. Once we have driven the brigands out or put them in graves, we can turn to other matters."
And perhaps I shall have answers to the questions Sarah Jean's comments have raised by then.
"our own kingdom?? Well I can say I'm not shocked but I feel like I would be a fool to turn that down. However the Coin's are correct, any budding kingdom will soon run afoul of Pitax if it allowed to continue to be nation of brigands." he says. these were strange times he thought to himself.
Sarah Jean show you to comfortable quarters to rest and recover. The tower is quite large with a single spiral staircase going upward and a door every half turn as you ascend.
Many children have the door open and you can see many large dorm rooms. The next day you awake refreshed, and it appears a young halfling is waiting at the breakfast table. A map of the mine offices are laid out on the table (see campaign tab), as it appears Emerald has found the original building plans for the mining office.
The half-elf observes the children. "You're good to have and care for them. I wish I'd had a resource like this when I was small."
✿.｡*: ☆.
Fiona looks at each companion as they speak about the next course of action. "If it were up to me, I'd like my 1,000 gold first. Only seems right for agreed-upon work."
She spends a generous amount of time looking at the building plans laid out by Emerald. "This. This interests me. And there are just some Pitax holing up here? What a waste of resources."