Jakardos seems momentarily relieved to see his companion but is also emotionally drained by recent events. Vale is filled with rage against the ogres. Kaven is being quiet, seemingly cautious about your group and a little wary.
Miron turns to Kaven, with his own face something of a blank mask.
"Why are you so suspicious of us? We have just freed you from bondage after all. Which are your weapons?"
Anneka steps behind Kaven while he is speaking to Miron and silently casts detect thoughts upon him
Jakardos comes to Kaven's defense "My men have been through a lot, helpful or not you are strangers."
Kevan answers a little awkwardly. "Yeah just on edge, sorry. The rapier, dagger and composite longbow."
Ferocia moves like a predator ready to pounce on Kaven staying out of the field of vision of the rangers.
Kaven has an intelligence of 13.
Stay calm they don't know anything. Just play it cool, get your gear back and sneak off when you can.
Anneka shakes her head furiously, signing quickly without speaking.
"Do NOT trust this Kaven. Do not return his gear. Seize him. He is up to something."
"Show me the star, Kaven. I know you're branded with it." Ferocia growls. She waits, ready to pounce, in case Kaven turns violent.
"You know what those stars are for? They're not just for a discount at the gambling hall, kid. They're an ancient arcane mark that will drain your soul's energy when Lucretia and her cult has you killed."
She watches him carefully, curious if he shows signs of already knowing what she's told him. Knowledge could mark him as a cultist as opposed to a victim.
Kaven tries to flee but like a coiled serpent Ferocia strikes bringing the man down quickly, without his gear he is no match for her. She pulls aside some of his clothes to reveal a tattoo just like the ones from 'Paradise', a seven pointed star. The sihedron.
Jakardos and and Vale look like they are about to spring to the defence of their fellow ranger but stop at the sight of tattoo you previously mentioned. "What's the meaning of this?" Jakardos ask.
"It's just a tattoo, I got it in Turtleback Ferry. Get off me!" Kaven says his face half in the dirt.
Why are they worrying about the tattoo? I have to get away and get to Lucrecia.
Pressing Kaven into the dirt, Ferocia shows off the man's tattoo.
"Yes, you got it at the Paradise. From the leader of the cult." Ferocia spits. "The woman who gave this to you -- Lucrecia -- intends to murder the people of Turtleback Ferry and conquer Fort Rannick. Were you her inside man at the Fort?" she pauses for a moment, letting the accusation hang in the air. Or do you expect me to believe you're just another gambling fool willing to brand himself for some psychotic floozy and a discount at the roulette wheel?"
"What's the meaning of this?" Jakardos ask.
"Please relax. We are here on behalf of the authorities. Do you know this 'Lucretia,' sir?"
Anneka blinks, realization dawning on her like the fireball must have loomed above the ogres. But less hot.
"I've read his thoughts. He is allied with Lucretia, it's true" Anneka speaks and signs calmly, making sure her meaning is clear. "But he does not know the meaning of the tattoo. She is likely using him as a pawn."
She kneels in front of him, catching his gaze directly. "Now listen to me, Kaven. You're in great danger, even though you may not realize it. This Lucretia is not who she seems. What my friend Ferocia says is true. You are tangled in the web of a plot most sinister. One we are trying to stop. The lives of your Rangers and all the citizens of Turtleback are in real danger. Help us. Tell us where to find Lucretia."
Vale looks enraged, either the dwarf who just called him a cultist or the traitorous Kaven will be the on the receiving end of his wrath. He goes to attack Kaven when Jakardos restrains him barely. "You betrayed us? That's how they ambushed us isn't it."
"What are you talking about? I didn't do anything." Kaven looks paniced.
How did they know? Oh Gods they know what I told Lucretia about the Fort and the Commander.
Anneka's unsure what Kaven's thoughts suggest, but she decides to bluff.
"Yes, the jig is up, Kaven. The best thing now is just to be honest. Why did you tell Lucretia those things about the fort and the commander? How could she use them to her advantage?"
If Vale breaks free of being held back and tries to kill Kaven, Marten will color spray him.
"I don't know what you're talking about! She's crazy Jakardos!"
Because I love her and soon I'll be free from this drudgery... if I can find the time I might feed you your own tongue you little witch!
Well, that's just rude.
Anneka lifts the medusa mask from her face to show Jakardos and Vale that she is, in fact, just a young woman. Tucking it under her arm, she speaks and signs.
"I'm Anneka Avertin, from Sandpoint. I'm deaf, if you hadn't noticed, and a baker, but I'm certainly not crazy. Just...gifted. Using telepathy, I've been able to discern that Kaven here is having a tryst with someone named Lucretia, the head of a sinister cult that we've been chasing from Sandpoint, to Magnimar, and all the way out here. Ferocia's found his star tattoo, which is known to be a mark of the cult. He's been feeding information about the fort and your commander to her, no doubt to help her infiltrate your ranks and your stronghold. The question isn't whether you believe me, because you've seen and experienced enough on your own to know that something is very, very wrong. The question is: what are you going to do to stop it? We want to help rid the area of the cult and the ogres. We can help each other."
"And you..." she turns to Kaven. "Have a choice to make."
Ferocia rolls her eyes and shakes her head at Kaven. "I've heard enough bull in my life to know it when I'm fed it, kid. You're talking to a bunch of investigators and inquisitors, hiired by the Mayor of Magnimar himself. The best that money can buy. You really think you can fool us?"
As Anneka explains herself to the Black Arrows, Ferocia nods. She looks up at Jakardos and Vale. "Lucrecia and her cult have killed a lot of people. We know she intended to conquer Fort Rannick. Whatever she's done there is part of what we're here to stop. Ogres, undead, mages -- whatever she's got on her side. We're here to end it. If you want to help us retake Fort Rannick, you're welcome to."
Then she looks back down at Kaven and gives him a shake. "What did you tell Lucrecia about the Fort and the Commander?"
Miron breaks his silence, after witnessing the back and forth conversation.
"Vale, Jakardos, you surely realise that we are likelier telling the truth here. As my colleagues have pointed out, you have to decide what you wish to do to correct the situation."
He turns to Kaven, with a cold stare, like a chymist about to dissect a frog.
"And as for you, traitor, you *will* cooperate with us. No more lies, no more games. Or we leave you in here before we burn down the barn."
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At Miron's words, Azalia uses prestidigitation to bounce a small fireball in her palm, like she is ready to burn down whatever he asks, at any time. After seeing the evidence of the fireball previously, she hopes this will assist him in his intimidation efforts.
"It's also reasonable that your feelings for Lucretia aren't even real," Marten offers, although he seems more interested in picking out a few pieces straw adorning his jacket. "I would imagine that she is using some manner of enchantment magic on you.
"The other members of this cult we've encountered don't seem to be capable of genuine affection. I imagine Lucretia is no different."
If there was a cold, hard logic skill, Marten would roll it. It wouldn't, like, help or anything, however.
Between your abilities and careful questioning of Kaven you are able to piece together his background and relationship to Lucretia.
He was a wayward youth born to harried parents in Turtleback Ferry, and his antics finally got him in over his head when he assaulted and robbed an old goat herd who turned out to be a longtime family friend. Infuriated, his father was all but ready to press charges and have the boy taken south by the law to serve time in a jail in Ilsurian, but his mother managed to temper that reaction. Kaven was given a choice: be disowned and spend time in prison, or seek membership among the Black Arrows. His father always admired the order, and figured if they couldn’t shape Kaven into an upstanding man, no one could. Kaven, balking at the thought of prison, chose the Black Arrows.
At first, the disciplined lifestyle did Kaven good, and he reformed into a respected and effective member of the order. However, when Lady Lucrecia opened Paradise’s gambling halls to the public a year ago, Kaven and two other Black Arrows sneaked down to the barge one night to sample its offerings. It was enough to remind Kaven what he liked about the quick and exciting life of gambling, high risk, and crime. Kaven volunteered for the weekly southern patrol (a route most of the Black Arrows disliked due to its relatively boring route along the eastern shore of Claybottom Lake). Rather than spending his nights in Turtleback Ferry or Pendaka, though, he took to spending them at Paradise. Of course, Lucrecia recognized him as one of the Black Arrows and, knowing that having an ally on the inside might someday be a vital boon, she seduced him, charmed him, and made him her pet.
As the months wore on, Kaven fell deeper and deeper into Lucrecia’s thrall, to an extent that she no longer needed to keep him charmed. He not only began to steal from his fellow rangers to fund his secret nights of debauchery on the Paradise, but in the end it was he who betrayed them at Lady Lucrecia’s request. Kaven gave her all the information about patrols and defenses she needed to ensure a swift and decisive strike on Fort Rannick, and a time when the commander would be away with some woman who lives in the woods. Then Kaven volunteered for the patrol that would keep him out of the fort when the assault came. He even engineered several delays during that patrol to ensure they would not return to the fort in time to provide aid in the fight. What Kaven hadn’t counted on was being captured by the Grauls—Lucrecia had promised to flee the region with him once the attack was over, and he had planned on meeting her at a prearranged time in Turtleback Ferry.
Jakardos and Vale want to execute the traitor in the way it has always been done in the Black Arrows when needed, execution. After that they want to go to Fort Rannick and drive the Kreeg out... or at least kill as many as possible before succumbing.
"You have been cooperative, Kaven. Jakardos, Vale, we will purge Fort Rannick together. And you have my full support in meting appropriate punishment upon this traitor."
Lucrecia had promised to flee the region with him once the attack was over, and he had planned on meeting her at a prearranged time in Turtleback Ferry.
Marten asks when this designated meeting time is scheduled to occur.
Azalia preferred to give people a chance at redemption when possible, especially when it wasn't clear how many of his choices had been the result of coercion, but she remained silent. Despite the magically enhanced brainwashing, the boy had certainly been complicit on some level, and she assumed that the group had the legal standing to order an execution.
Lucrecia had promised to flee the region with him once the attack was over, and he had planned on meeting her at a prearranged time in Turtleback Ferry.Marten asks when this designated meeting time is scheduled to occur.
The time was several days ago.
No one can detect any proof of enchantment on Kaven, perhaps mundane manipulation was the only kind used.
Anneka dislikes the idea of executing the man, though she cannot argue with the gravity of his crimes. How many have already died due to his treachery, and how many more deaths are to come?
Can he not be redeemed? Is there not some trace of goodness behind the darkness in his soul? She also understands the temptation he faced. The desire to be a part of something greater and stronger than himself. The lure of...power.
Yet there is always a cost. She considers the medusa mask in her hands and wonders when her own debt will come due.
In the end, she does not interfere with the Black Arrows' decision.
Ferocia hesitates a moment, then shrugs. "He's one of yours. Do with him as you will."
She passes control of Kaven over to Vale.
She waits nearby with crossed arms while the execution is carried out. Then she walks over to Vale and Jakardos. "You ready to take back your fort?"
Marten says nothing.
Miron stands ready with yet-untapped power, should Kaven try to flee.
Should Kaven look like he might escape, I will use Swaying to "ally" him and compel him back into line.
After executing Kaven his gear is offered to your group as a reward for helping to bring his treachery to life.
+1 leather armor
+1 rapier
Masterwork dagger
Composite longbow with 20 arrows
Ring of protection +1
Jakardos and Vale are quite willing to go to Fort Rannick with your group. Given the time it is a good point for your group to rest before continuing on the Fort Rannick. The two Black Arrows use the opportunity to tell you about the Fort including drawing a basic map.
Fort Rannick is located at the northern end of a wide valley that runs along the southern edge of the mountains. This bleak landscape stretches on for miles along the border between the mountains and Kreegwood. This rugged, forlorn landscape fits well with the morose and grim attitude of its guardians, the Order of the Black Arrow.
The two men don't know how many ogres will be in the Fort but they remind you attack at night would likely be more of a hindrance for your group than the ogres.
Jakardos knows of some old tunnels that haven't been used in many years that could get you into the Fort but they are infested with shocker lizards. They keep to themselves in the tunnels, mostly, but during their mating season when they grow more aggressive, the rangers use bitterbark smoke to sicken and repulse them, keeping them from overrunning the castle. It takes a day and a DC 18 Knowledge (nature) check to harvest bitterbark from the surrounding region this would drive the lizards up into the grounds of the Fort if done correctly.
On the south wall of the fort, a sluice gate opens to release refuse and sewage downhill into the creek. You can attempt to circumvent the gates of Rannick by breaching this narrow access instead, but its proximity to the South Gate might be a problem.
Vale points out another piece of information about the Fort that might be useful. The “new barracks” was erected twenty years ago when the rangers grew concerned that Fort Rannick was going to outgrow its original barracks space, the wooden barracks were abandoned after it was pointed out they were deathtraps. If fire were used during a siege, the barracks would go up like tinder and everyone inside would burn to death. Not being familiar with this knowledge the Kreegs might be using this building.
"What is the most advantageous direction for us to approach the fort?"
"IF these ogres have taken any of your brethren prisoner, where are they most likely to be kept?"[/b]
Azalia asks nothing, still trying to get over feeling sick from the execution.
Miron is quietly content that justice has been served. He hands back the bow and any other property of the rangers.
Once the rangers have replied to Marten, he will speak and sign his own questions.
"Are there any spots that you would recommend for harvesting bitterbark? And any especially hard to observe routes to achieve line of sight on the old barracks? Perhaps a way up onto a nearby roof? And what do you intend to do in the fight for the Fort?"
Jakardos speaks up "I favour the bow and Vale puts his axes to good use. Your grpup has more magical ability than we would normally have access to. If you have means to fly you could use the cliff overlooking the site. Kreegs usually favour melee over ranged combat to better use their strength and size. You'd bypass the defences with a bit of flying magic that way if you have it."
"I am pretty doubtful if any captured are still alive. The Grauls are enthusiastic amateurs... the Kreegs are far more experienced in cruelties. Likely the main fort or somewhere creative."
"We know a few spots to harvest bitterbark,we can show you but it will take time."
How tall are these cliffs? I need to know the range for possible attacks from up there.
Vale answers "They're about a hundred feet tall, the challenge is getting up there. There's no trail so you'd need magic or great skill to get up. But there is a hidden tunnel we could fit down from there, it'd be tight but we could get into the base from there bypassing the walls."
"One thing you need to bare in mind is the main structure of the fort is built against the cliff. There are some tunnels built around the back of it where they used to bury some of the first Black Arrows years ago, the entrance is concealed but it might be useful to keep in mind."
"I can get the bitterbark." Ferocia replies. "Some of us can fly, and I can carry up those who can't. It'll take time though." She nods at Azalia. "At least one of us can set the barracks on fire."
She looks at the others. "So are we ticking off the lizard and sneaking inside after them? Ticking off the lizards and sneaking over the walls? Or using the cliffs?" With a glance at Drazh she adds, "Or is sneaking off the table?"
"The cliffs seem the best option, if we can safely reach them. And yes, I agree that using the spark lizards would be useful. Perhaps one or more of the Black Arrows can burn the bark as we burn the barracks, then approach from the tunnels within the cliffs."
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Ferocia shrugs. "I figured you'd rather charge at the gate while cursing about giants at the top of your lungs."
"We can drive the shock lizards up. Do any of ye have alchemists fire? When you attract their attention we can hit them from behind and set fire to the barracks?"
Marten states that he has a spider climb scroll, and that he can prepare that spell and levitate the morning of the attack. Spider climb would allow the recipient to control their movement, while levitate would require Marten to do so And perhaps an obscuring mist spell would be useful for hiding an approach. He'll also prepare hold portal in case the opportunity arises to trap anything inside the burning barracks or anywhere else that provides tactical advantage.