My group's next session begins part two of The Hook Mountain Massacre: Retaking Rannick. They've managed to put an end to the threat of the Grauls, and now it's time for Jakadros to fill them in on what befell Fort Rannick. The only problem I have is identifying what information Jakadros and Vale have to share. I'm trying to piece together details about Fort Rannick before its fall, so the PCs have some idea about the defense the Black Arrows mounted (and by deduction, the force that was able to defeat them).
How many Black Arrows defended the fort?
The Anniversary Edition says the Black Arrows numbered in the "dozens." This thread assumes that means three dozen or so:
~ 12 Recruits
~ 16 Regulars (Kaven)
~ 4 Officers (Jakadros, Vale)
~ 1 Commander (Lamatar)
The entry for the Fort mentions at least two noncombatants:
- Drannnis, the resident architect who taught Vale about fortifications
- a fat priest of Erastil, who ran the Fort's chapel
- Petter, the mumbling simpleton poet (possibly an Arrow recruit rather than noncombatant)
Given that they had a stable of horses, I suspect a farrier was also on site. They possibly also had a cook (for the kitchens) and an archivist (map room).
How many Black Arrows were on patrol?
I'm also curious about day-to-day operations of the Fort. For example, Kaven's bio mentions a "Southern Patrol Route" that covers the eastern shore of Claybottom Lake, and that it's a boring duty that give the Arrows plenty of time to kill at the Paradise before it's sunk.
- What are the other patrol routes? The "heights of Hook Mountain" are also mentioned...
- How many men are assigned to each patrol route? The "Southern Route" is at least 3, and Jakadros' patrol a similar number.
- How often do patrols leave the Fort?
- How many scouts were sent to investigate Jorgenfist before the Kreegs retaliated?
- The entry for Turtleback Ferry indicates that one or two Black Arrows visit the town on a weekly basis for supplies and entertainment, and that they arrive on Fireday. How long does the Arrows liberty last?
- How many Black Arrows were in Jakadros' patrol before the Grauls got ahold of them?
- Was the patrol waylaid by the Grauls before they knew what happened to Fort Rannick, or were Jakadros and company captured trying to return to Turtleback with news of Rannick's fall?
When/How did the news reach Magnimmar?
Finally, there's the question of how, and how often, the Arrows are in contact with Magnimmar:
- The Sanos trail overland route from Magnimmar to Turtleback is two weeks in each direction. I think we can assume a monthly supply train drops goods off in Turtleback for the Fort.
- It also been mentioned that the Arrows may be in contact with Magnimmmar via messenger raven or wand of sending.
According to the Anniversary Edition timeline;
- A month ago, the Black Arrows spotted plumes of smoke from the Jorgenfist forges, and sent several scouts to spy on the Kreegs. None ever returned.
- 3 weeks ago, Commander Lamatar Bayden left Fort Rannick on one of his monthly 3-day "communion walks"
- Shortly after that, Jakadros left to lead a "long range" patrol. Kaven volunteered to join him, and Vale went along as well.
- Kaven engineered a few convenient delays to keep the patrol from returning in time to join the defense of the fort.
- Jakadros' patrol was captured by the Grauls
Grobaras sends the PCs on a two-week journey to the Fort after hearing that Turtleback has seen no sign of the Arrows for "weeks." If the Fort only fell three weeks ago, that only leaves a week of "radio silence" before Turtleback sends word overland to Magnimmmar...
Any input from Paizo and/or fellow GMs to clear up the ambiguities in the AE would appreciated!