The party wake to a cool morning, with clouds covering the small amount of sky that can be seen. There is a mist in the forest and a chill in the air. The short summer of the Nentir Vale is over. The female elf Elder of the Woodsinger Clan, Eriyel approaches you.
"You have killed Yisarn, or turned him to stone, we still do not know which one was Yisarn. You have proven your good intentions, and rid the forest of an old and restless evil. We are now obligated to you. I will send runners to all the nearby bands, who will be the only ones who can get to the coming battle in time. The Woodsinger clans will provide archers for your war against the Iron Circle. By sundown tomorrow we'll have 50 elven bows to help the Harkenwolders win their freedom."
She continues "You will not have time to go back through the portal. Our scouts have been in touch with Harkenwolders living near the forest - the Gravelstoke family, I believe you know them. They have heard the Iron Circle is preparing to march against those who resist them, they want to crush the resistance before the rains come and make movement difficult. Reithann the druid and the others who still fight against the Iron Circle are gathering at Albridge to give battle. Israfen and the others will join you there in two days time."
Eriyel smiles, "I know the curiosity of the young. There will be time to go back through the portal if you must, but it should be after the coming battle. My suggestion is perhaps to leave Dal Nystiere alone. Whatever is behind that protected door should stay there, I think. But we may get to talk about that. I will talk to a much older and wiser mind than me, and I may have more information for you, should you return."
Eriyel also offers to fix Vakiel's and Augustin's nose. Vakiel declines, and Augustin accepts. She gets the paladin to lie down and sings a soothing, gentle song in elvish, which helps him relax. With a sharp twist of her surprisingly strong hands, she rebreaks and straightens the nose. The nose swells a little, but she gives him some herbs in a tea which she says will help with the swelling.
She also tells Augustin that the burns across his skin from the skeletal mage's shocking grasp will heal over 2 weeks.
After being fed breakfast the party packs up and moves out. You are escorted to the border with the stones (the ones declaring the border) by Israfen who clasps your forearms in elf style of farewell and tells you to live long and prosper.
There is a journey of a few hours to the Gravelstoke Estate. You have a late lunch there, only with Alesia Gravelstoke who attempts to flirt with Vakiel and asks about Augustin's red burn marks across his skin. She tells you the other members of the Gravelstoke family are out and about doing "family business". She tells you that they have scouted Harkenwold village, which is functioning but under tight control of the Iron Circle. She believes that one of the Harkenwolders is giving intelligence to the Iron Circle, because those who would form a resistance are quickly rounded up and imprisoned or not seen again.
She also says that Nazin Redthorn is governing Harkenwold from Harken Keep, which he has renamed Iron Keep.
Alesia tells you all that the Gravelstokes will be ready to assist you once you are victorious in Albridge, and will help with operations in Harken Village, which is likely the next step to expelling the Iron Circle from Harkenwold. They will not be able to help with the Albridge battle because they are never sure when the Iron Circle will move against Gravelstoke Estate and they need to be close.
Vine and Sunrise and their children - the shifter family from Harken village - are here at Gravelstoke Estate. Augustin knows them and they greet him warmly, and are delighted to meet Rustling Leaves. They exchange information and find that their extended families are known to each other. They tell you they are busy making arrows and crossbow bolts, and present a case of 20 hand crossbow bolts for Grimbald. They also present him with a hand crossbow.
"Master Xander Gravelstoke asked that we make these for your return," Vine says. "We know such a weapon and the ammunition for it can be hard to come by."
They tell you that Old Kellar, the ancient dwarf, chose to stay in Harken. So far he has been left alone by the Iron Circle, although has had some stern warnings to pull his head in and stop agitating.
Lady Regan meets with Esa, and they have a lovely high tea. She gives Esa a scroll of enlarge/reduce, and a scroll of dispel magic (cast at 8th level). The scrolls are small, and when Esa turns to look at her with wonder, Lady Regan says that she acquired a "glass of enlarging" which turned out to be a big magnifying glass, and a quill from a small bird, to be able to write so small.
The party are at Gravelstoke Estate for about 90 minutes, and then move on to head to Albridge using the same roundabout route.
As you leave Gravelstoke Estate the sky darkens, and a light rain begins to fall. The party move at a fast pace, intending to skirt far around Marl. But by the time they get closer to Marl the rain has become heavy and a chill fog enshrouds the lands. Thick mud sticks to the party's boots as they follow the track that leads beside an abandoned farmstead.
You are travelling without a scout, relying on the fog to hide you. Through the fog you spot an Iron Circle brigand holding a lantern and riding a large, red-scaled drake. Standing behind some nearby trees are two more Iron Circle brigands with crossbows. The leader, an evil looking woman in a red surcoat stands between them.
<Assuming Grimbald is the first to act in the party>
Grimbald shouts "That's them!. Take them" (Grimbald's attempt to confuse them!) and with a hand crossbow in each hand (and Dread Ambusher) makes 2 attacks on first round and one bonus action on the leader. Attack: 21 Damage: 4
Attack: 24 Damage: 5
bonus action Attack: 17 Damage: 1
then he will move up to 35 to get within melee of the crossbowers, hopefully imposing disadvantage on their crossbows,
Augustin would try and use the fog to his advantage and make his way to the ambush. He would like to duck from tree to tree on the side of the road as he inches closer.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
RL will wild shape into a warhorse which is midnight Black with a mane that is a mottle of green and brown which make viewers think of leaves on trees. He then moves past Augustin for him to mount then continue on with his 60ft of movement up to the drake for a trampling charge against the drake. The drake has to make a DC 14 Str save or be knocked prone. If it fails RL the horse gets an attack. Melee Hoover attack Attack: 23 Damage: 13
RL will wild shape into a warhorse which is midnight Black with a mane that is a mottle of green and brown which make viewers think of leaves on trees. He then moves past Augustin for him to mount then continue on with his 60ft of movement up to the drake for a trampling charge against the drake. The drake has to make a DC 14 Str save or be knocked prone. If it fails RL the horse gets an attack. Melee Hoover attack Attack: 23 Damage: 12
RL will use his inspiration to make the drake roll at disadvantage as well.
He nods his thanks
Grimbald observes and chews some nuts
You sleep on the same platform you did last time. Total darkness while you sleep, but you know elves are there, watching for enemies.
Long rest!
1st day of Latesummer (last month of summer)
The party wake to a cool morning, with clouds covering the small amount of sky that can be seen. There is a mist in the forest and a chill in the air. The short summer of the Nentir Vale is over. The female elf Elder of the Woodsinger Clan, Eriyel approaches you.
"You have killed Yisarn, or turned him to stone, we still do not know which one was Yisarn. You have proven your good intentions, and rid the forest of an old and restless evil. We are now obligated to you. I will send runners to all the nearby bands, who will be the only ones who can get to the coming battle in time. The Woodsinger clans will provide archers for your war against the Iron Circle. By sundown tomorrow we'll have 50 elven bows to help the Harkenwolders win their freedom."
She continues "You will not have time to go back through the portal. Our scouts have been in touch with Harkenwolders living near the forest - the Gravelstoke family, I believe you know them. They have heard the Iron Circle is preparing to march against those who resist them, they want to crush the resistance before the rains come and make movement difficult. Reithann the druid and the others who still fight against the Iron Circle are gathering at Albridge to give battle. Israfen and the others will join you there in two days time."
Eriyel smiles, "I know the curiosity of the young. There will be time to go back through the portal if you must, but it should be after the coming battle. My suggestion is perhaps to leave Dal Nystiere alone. Whatever is behind that protected door should stay there, I think. But we may get to talk about that. I will talk to a much older and wiser mind than me, and I may have more information for you, should you return."
Esa thanks them graciously for both their hospitality and their support
RL offers a shaky awkward bow
"We will reluctantly go to war" An insight check will not be required to spy an enthusiastic grin on Grimbald's face.
XP for the battle with Yisarn and minions = 370xp each.
XP for completing the mission = 300xp each.
XP for exploration = 100xp each.
Total 770xp each.
Eriyel also offers to fix Vakiel's and Augustin's nose. Vakiel declines, and Augustin accepts. She gets the paladin to lie down and sings a soothing, gentle song in elvish, which helps him relax. With a sharp twist of her surprisingly strong hands, she rebreaks and straightens the nose. The nose swells a little, but she gives him some herbs in a tea which she says will help with the swelling.
She also tells Augustin that the burns across his skin from the skeletal mage's shocking grasp will heal over 2 weeks.
After being fed breakfast the party packs up and moves out. You are escorted to the border with the stones (the ones declaring the border) by Israfen who clasps your forearms in elf style of farewell and tells you to live long and prosper.
There is a journey of a few hours to the Gravelstoke Estate. You have a late lunch there, only with Alesia Gravelstoke who attempts to flirt with Vakiel and asks about Augustin's red burn marks across his skin. She tells you the other members of the Gravelstoke family are out and about doing "family business". She tells you that they have scouted Harkenwold village, which is functioning but under tight control of the Iron Circle. She believes that one of the Harkenwolders is giving intelligence to the Iron Circle, because those who would form a resistance are quickly rounded up and imprisoned or not seen again.
She also says that Nazin Redthorn is governing Harkenwold from Harken Keep, which he has renamed Iron Keep.
Alesia tells you all that the Gravelstokes will be ready to assist you once you are victorious in Albridge, and will help with operations in Harken Village, which is likely the next step to expelling the Iron Circle from Harkenwold. They will not be able to help with the Albridge battle because they are never sure when the Iron Circle will move against Gravelstoke Estate and they need to be close.
Vine and Sunrise and their children - the shifter family from Harken village - are here at Gravelstoke Estate. Augustin knows them and they greet him warmly, and are delighted to meet Rustling Leaves. They exchange information and find that their extended families are known to each other. They tell you they are busy making arrows and crossbow bolts, and present a case of 20 hand crossbow bolts for Grimbald. They also present him with a hand crossbow.
"Master Xander Gravelstoke asked that we make these for your return," Vine says. "We know such a weapon and the ammunition for it can be hard to come by."
They tell you that Old Kellar, the ancient dwarf, chose to stay in Harken. So far he has been left alone by the Iron Circle, although has had some stern warnings to pull his head in and stop agitating.
Lady Regan meets with Esa, and they have a lovely high tea. She gives Esa a scroll of enlarge/reduce, and a scroll of dispel magic (cast at 8th level). The scrolls are small, and when Esa turns to look at her with wonder, Lady Regan says that she acquired a "glass of enlarging" which turned out to be a big magnifying glass, and a quill from a small bird, to be able to write so small.
The party are at Gravelstoke Estate for about 90 minutes, and then move on to head to Albridge using the same roundabout route.
As you leave Gravelstoke Estate the sky darkens, and a light rain begins to fall. The party move at a fast pace, intending to skirt far around Marl. But by the time they get closer to Marl the rain has become heavy and a chill fog enshrouds the lands. Thick mud sticks to the party's boots as they follow the track that leads beside an abandoned farmstead.
You are travelling without a scout, relying on the fog to hide you. Through the fog you spot an Iron Circle brigand holding a lantern and riding a large, red-scaled drake. Standing behind some nearby trees are two more Iron Circle brigands with crossbows. The leader, an evil looking woman in a red surcoat stands between them.
"That's them!" the woman shouts. "Take them!"
Roll initiative.
Grimbald INITIATIVE 19
<Assuming Grimbald is the first to act in the party>
Grimbald shouts "That's them!. Take them" (Grimbald's attempt to confuse them!) and with a hand crossbow in each hand (and Dread Ambusher) makes 2 attacks on first round and one bonus action on the leader. Attack: 21 Damage: 4
Attack: 24 Damage: 5
bonus action Attack: 17 Damage: 1
then he will move up to 35 to get within melee of the crossbowers, hopefully imposing disadvantage on their crossbows,
Enemy initiative: 7
How close were we (to each of them) to be seen through the fog?
About 60ft. Consider each of you at a point of an equilateral triangle and the leader on the line between two of the points of the triangle.
Augustin would try and use the fog to his advantage and make his way to the ambush. He would like to duck from tree to tree on the side of the road as he inches closer.
Covering 35 of the gap, Grimbald will b-line for any cover he can use.
Esa casts Witchbolt at the leader Attack: 21 Damage: 18
RL will wild shape into a warhorse which is midnight Black with a mane that is a mottle of green and brown which make viewers think of leaves on trees. He then moves past Augustin for him to mount then continue on with his 60ft of movement up to the drake for a trampling charge against the drake. The drake has to make a DC 14 Str save or be knocked prone. If it fails RL the horse gets an attack. Melee Hoover attack Attack: 23 Damage: 13
RL will use his inspiration to make the drake roll at disadvantage as well.