Frenevir - The Curumhatar split their forces, with several of their members keeping a close watch on their new barracks and scouting the town for signs of enemy corruption and activity. The remaining members work in tandem with the militia and a small force of farmers, most of whom are of limited skill and usefulness, to rework certain parts of the town's defenses. Over the next day, new plans are drawn up and resources requisitioned - soon, a new design of tower and wall scaffolding will allow for the creation of bulwarks of focused defense, from which archers and spear-throwers might engage enemies far before their might siege the thick palisade.
Roll Investigation for the Curumhatar Scouts and their effectiveness as they assess and settle into Brivensrook.
Branwen - Careful investigation is of limited effectiveness, but your trained eyes notice a few things. For one, even a casual glance over the financial records (kept in a relatively insecure locked cabinet, quickly picked by your hand) reveals some major deficit spending on the part of the Mayor's office. Expenditures of gold leave the town at regular intervals, under a variety of names that, while distinct, intuitively seem to your eye to be false aliases (this is largely due to the prevalence of extremely common names - like looking at a list with 20 different variations of John Smith). While this is apparent, you recall a tidbit garnered from one of your spies in a local tavern, that the militia's tab has reached a breaking point with the regular soldiers being unable to settle their debt due to unpaid wages. It seems that you have uncovered the beginnings of a fairly large economic meltdown in the works, evidenced by a few logbooks.
Unfortunately, your investigations are not able to access the Mayor's private room, adjacent to the offices. As you approach the door, your trained eye notes the presence of an Arcane Lock which glows faintly in the moonlight. Blocking your entrance, and likely to sound an alarm if interfered with, you may proceed as you wish to try a few more investigations, or you may withdraw safely. The longer you stay, the more likely your possible discovery!
Ohan - One of the goblins attempts to kick the other to keep it from spilling this information, but before he is able to Grignat shrieks, "Hilltop! Hilltop beyond the trees! Big Hill, near Fallyran!" The kicking goblin mutters "Shaddap! Shaddap or he'll stick us both!" The third goblin begins to recover consciousness, his eyes rolling up and around in his head.
" Stay out of sight " says Frenevir to his men and women assigned to scout duty "And be sure to use your familiars to help you keeping an eye out in case you have them. In any case do not engage. You all are more valuable than a small tactical advantage for taking out three or four enemies. Good luck"
The small group of scouts nods and exit the town to fulfill their duty.
Ohan adds more information to a sheet of paper as he continues asking questions. (He has a squire write down the same information to pass on to Brivenrook)
"Remind me one more time, Who will stick you? If you don't give me the truth I with stick you with my blade personally."
Frenevir - The signs of the Enemy's passing are there, but faint. It's clear that the Enemy's conquest of this town was never quite completed, but there are still marks. Burns along the outer walls speak to several furious battles against goblinoids, as well as crude arrowheads made from rent armor salvaged from earlier battlefields. It is not until nearly the end of your investigations that your men report finding a few odd, scratched sigils, placed in certain alleys and along some of the older walls of the town that seem connected somehow. The shadows in these areas are deeper than normal, and the scratched symbols seem like waymarkers, or a language that you do not speak. Without some key to crack the code, further investigation will be impossible, but it is clear that there is more than one force at work in Brivensrook.
Ohan - "Redcap! You! No matter which, we get stuck!" The more talkative goblin shivers and quiets down, looking at your sword bitterly.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
The discovery of potential fraud in the mayor's bookkeeping goads Branwen into pursuing more information. Aware that she may be spending a touch longer in the offices than she anticipated, she hopes that the guards are still enthralled by the performance. The changeling decides to forgo interfering with the arcane lock, instead focusing on areas that she may have missed. As she works her way through the office, she conjures her mage hand to replace things after she's done rifling through them, so as to keep the office looking as undisturbed as possible.
"Very well. I will be sending you to Brivenrook to answer more questions."
(Ohan makes sure the squire has all the information he has written down as well and then writes a note to Frenevir and Branwen)
"He are the prisoners we captured in a recent engagement we had near the bridge. I have included all the information we have gotten from them so far. Ask them what you want to know and then do what you feel is best with them. I have am also sending all the weapons and armor we took from the dead (Not sure what that would be DM). We will hold camp here for now and explore some across the bridge. Let me know if we are required in Brivenrook. My compliments Ohan."
(Ohan sends 5 guards and 5 squires to escort the prisoners to Brivenrook and then return)
Branwen - No further information is discovered, and you make your exit in good order after you hear a footstep on the nearby staircase, retreating just in time. There may have been signs of your passing that you missed - such things are sometimes unavoidable - but you escape without harm.
Ohan - A few hours later, the final reports and prisoners and weapons from your engagement return to the town on a mid-sized wagon, accompanied by a small force of jubilant rangers. They report to Frenevir as his forces complete their investigations, and the goblin prisoners are moved to a handy wine-cellar beneath the barracks area, guarded by the Curumhatar.
Scouting across the river, your forces see clear signs of Goblin interference with road traffic. Burned out wagons, marked trees, and even a few ambush blinds that show some recent use. Any survivors appear to have been dragged forcibly into the brush and dense woods north of the bridge, beyond the scope of your short-range scouting expeditions (at this time!). You are able to surmise that many of those who have been attacked on this section of the road were likely folk fleeing from Fallyran, further north along this path.
"Interesting... Well done " replies Frenevir to the report "Leave that marks there. Try to use some of our familiars to scout the area and see if anyone follow them. This information will be really useful to Captain Branwen"
Ohan - Further investigation confirms the initial findings: these outposts were used in recent ambushes against relatively lightly armed travelers, likely refugees from Fallyran who never arrived at Brivensrook's towers and the safety therein. The strange tree markings seem to refer to some kind of code, though without more information further study is likely to be fruitless.
Branwen - After returning to your safehouse and debriefing what you have found, you get a report from one of your agents. A message between members of the local Thieves Guild has been intercepted, and it does not bode well. It is a report on the comings and goings on three of your agents, as well as several innocent folk, with apparent intent to observe and even eliminate, in the near future. Your agents are quickly withdrawn to safety, their faces changing as easily as the wind, but you cannot help but worry. It seems that the local guild has noticed your presence and understands it as a threat, though why that might be is up to your own speculations. This news, combined with the Mayor's gold-fraud, has dire implications for the overall health of the town and region, and some action will need to be taken on both fronts if order is to be restored. There is always the fear that some lingering presence of the Enemy might be at work, even now...
All - Following your various exploits, and after getting settled in Brivensrook, finding it in fairly good order, despite having been briefly under the domain of the Enemy, you all take a moment to connect with each other, updating and sharing what you have observed. Ohan's forces report scattered skirmishes with minor goblin bands on the edges of the forest north of the bridge, at which Ohan's Rangers have made a fairly defensible base camp.The Curumhatar have fortified the town, restoring its defenses and establishing a good rapport with the militia, who are much improved for the connection. Even basics skills, such as showing them how to care for their armor, or how to apply first aid correctly in battlefield engagements, have vastly improved their efficacy and unity. It is likely that they would be able to hold the town even against a larger, better equipped and disciplined foe. The Dahlia have had more mixed results, establishing fleeting contact with a local Thieves Guild across a single intercepted message, revealing that the Guild apparently views you all as a threat. Despite Branwen's hopes that investigating the mayor's office (the same Mayor who has not yet been seen by any of you, nor has he responded to any of the Curumhatar's requests for an audience) would open up a new lead to follow, it revealed only a gradual economic collapse as gold, apparently laundered through a system of East-bound merchants, drain the treasuries of coin. It is a wonder that things have continued to function at all.
All in all, you have successfully restored a modicum of order in Brivensrook - it will not soon fall to outside force, but between local politics and the threat of Goblin raids to the north, not to mention the yet-looming threat of the dragon at Briven's Peak, the board is set. What will you do?
Frenevir looks over the reports and the map they have displayed on a table.
"I do think that now that our position here is a little bit more secured, we do need to take care of the goblin threat. Do you think it is wise to march upon them and destroy their camp? " he asks to the other commanders.
Ohan examining the map and says, "We do currently have a sound hold on the area on the outskirts of the forest. I don't think sending some troops in to take care of the goblins would be a bad idea."
Branwen fills Ohan and Frenevir in on the mayor's dirty deeds and the economic catastrophe looming on the horizon. She pauses toward the end of the explanation, before adding, "It seems the thieves guild has determined we are a threat. I see two options going forward: we attempt to establish contact and win them to our cause, or we simply deal with them. Some strategic assassinations would allow us to infiltrate the guild and . . . redirect its point of view."
"How many will be needed to calm this goblin threat?" Branwen asks, having reverted to her true, blurry changeling form. She smiles at Ohan and Frenevir.
"I know some of your lot is supposed to be the muscle, but we're not afraid to get our hands dirty if we're needed," the changeling continues, gesturing to a few members of the Dahlia behind her. "Just let me know, otherwise, I suppose we'll continue seeking out information about the thieves guild."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Walks in [insert absurd situation].
Honorary Leader in the Pixie Peewee Powderpuff Pals!
Frenevir informs the other Captains of their findings at the streets of the small town.
"We let the markings there, under surveillance. We cannot make sense of it but I do hope you could. Either way I think they can be used to track and identify spies or members of this guild. I do think that it is important to know if they are servants of the Enemy or just local thieves that simply do not like authority. The later we can handle, despite their methods we do need all the help we could get. If the former is the case then we need to destroy them I do think that a fast, well placed strike at the forest of our combined forces would put the threat of the goblins at rest and we could destroy their encampment. Do we all agree on this?" he asks to the others.
(Branwen, when you get a chance, let me know if members of the Dahlia are joining the Dauvin Rangers and the Curumhatar in the Forest Raid! Otherwise, we will continue the narrative in Brivensrook with the Thieves Guild and the Mayor, whom you have yet to actually meet.)
As the sun crests over the Easter reaches of the forest, the Rangers and the Curumhatar make a quiet farewell from Brivensrook. Its defenses bolstered, its militia reinforced with steel and hope, the militia captain bids you a stoic but well-intentioned farewell. It's clear he is under a deal of stress and worries that you may not return - he is easily put at ease with a few words of encouragement, and you make your departure.
Ohan! Please roll a SURVIVAL check for me as the Rangers guide the combined force through the woods towards the Goblin encampment. Then roll a STEALTH check to determine whether or not you are spotted by enemies on the way.
Frenevir! Please roll a PERCEPTION check for me as your sharp-eyed elves scan the environment for signs of the Enemy's touch.
Frenevir - The Curumhatar split their forces, with several of their members keeping a close watch on their new barracks and scouting the town for signs of enemy corruption and activity. The remaining members work in tandem with the militia and a small force of farmers, most of whom are of limited skill and usefulness, to rework certain parts of the town's defenses. Over the next day, new plans are drawn up and resources requisitioned - soon, a new design of tower and wall scaffolding will allow for the creation of bulwarks of focused defense, from which archers and spear-throwers might engage enemies far before their might siege the thick palisade.
Roll Investigation for the Curumhatar Scouts and their effectiveness as they assess and settle into Brivensrook.
Branwen - Careful investigation is of limited effectiveness, but your trained eyes notice a few things. For one, even a casual glance over the financial records (kept in a relatively insecure locked cabinet, quickly picked by your hand) reveals some major deficit spending on the part of the Mayor's office. Expenditures of gold leave the town at regular intervals, under a variety of names that, while distinct, intuitively seem to your eye to be false aliases (this is largely due to the prevalence of extremely common names - like looking at a list with 20 different variations of John Smith). While this is apparent, you recall a tidbit garnered from one of your spies in a local tavern, that the militia's tab has reached a breaking point with the regular soldiers being unable to settle their debt due to unpaid wages. It seems that you have uncovered the beginnings of a fairly large economic meltdown in the works, evidenced by a few logbooks.
Unfortunately, your investigations are not able to access the Mayor's private room, adjacent to the offices. As you approach the door, your trained eye notes the presence of an Arcane Lock which glows faintly in the moonlight. Blocking your entrance, and likely to sound an alarm if interfered with, you may proceed as you wish to try a few more investigations, or you may withdraw safely. The longer you stay, the more likely your possible discovery!
Ohan - One of the goblins attempts to kick the other to keep it from spilling this information, but before he is able to Grignat shrieks, "Hilltop! Hilltop beyond the trees! Big Hill, near Fallyran!" The kicking goblin mutters "Shaddap! Shaddap or he'll stick us both!" The third goblin begins to recover consciousness, his eyes rolling up and around in his head.
(Investigation. 22 on game log)
" Stay out of sight " says Frenevir to his men and women assigned to scout duty "And be sure to use your familiars to help you keeping an eye out in case you have them. In any case do not engage. You all are more valuable than a small tactical advantage for taking out three or four enemies. Good luck"
The small group of scouts nods and exit the town to fulfill their duty.
PbP Character: A few ;)
Ohan adds more information to a sheet of paper as he continues asking questions. (He has a squire write down the same information to pass on to Brivenrook)
"Remind me one more time, Who will stick you? If you don't give me the truth I with stick you with my blade personally."
Frenevir - The signs of the Enemy's passing are there, but faint. It's clear that the Enemy's conquest of this town was never quite completed, but there are still marks. Burns along the outer walls speak to several furious battles against goblinoids, as well as crude arrowheads made from rent armor salvaged from earlier battlefields. It is not until nearly the end of your investigations that your men report finding a few odd, scratched sigils, placed in certain alleys and along some of the older walls of the town that seem connected somehow. The shadows in these areas are deeper than normal, and the scratched symbols seem like waymarkers, or a language that you do not speak. Without some key to crack the code, further investigation will be impossible, but it is clear that there is more than one force at work in Brivensrook.
Ohan - "Redcap! You! No matter which, we get stuck!" The more talkative goblin shivers and quiets down, looking at your sword bitterly.
The discovery of potential fraud in the mayor's bookkeeping goads Branwen into pursuing more information. Aware that she may be spending a touch longer in the offices than she anticipated, she hopes that the guards are still enthralled by the performance. The changeling decides to forgo interfering with the arcane lock, instead focusing on areas that she may have missed. As she works her way through the office, she conjures her mage hand to replace things after she's done rifling through them, so as to keep the office looking as undisturbed as possible.
Investigation #2! 9
Walks in [insert absurd situation].
Honorary Leader in the Pixie Peewee Powderpuff Pals!
"Very well. I will be sending you to Brivenrook to answer more questions."
(Ohan makes sure the squire has all the information he has written down as well and then writes a note to Frenevir and Branwen)
"He are the prisoners we captured in a recent engagement we had near the bridge. I have included all the information we have gotten from them so far. Ask them what you want to know and then do what you feel is best with them. I have am also sending all the weapons and armor we took from the dead (Not sure what that would be DM). We will hold camp here for now and explore some across the bridge. Let me know if we are required in Brivenrook. My compliments Ohan."
(Ohan sends 5 guards and 5 squires to escort the prisoners to Brivenrook and then return)
Branwen - No further information is discovered, and you make your exit in good order after you hear a footstep on the nearby staircase, retreating just in time. There may have been signs of your passing that you missed - such things are sometimes unavoidable - but you escape without harm.
Ohan - A few hours later, the final reports and prisoners and weapons from your engagement return to the town on a mid-sized wagon, accompanied by a small force of jubilant rangers. They report to Frenevir as his forces complete their investigations, and the goblin prisoners are moved to a handy wine-cellar beneath the barracks area, guarded by the Curumhatar.
Scouting across the river, your forces see clear signs of Goblin interference with road traffic. Burned out wagons, marked trees, and even a few ambush blinds that show some recent use. Any survivors appear to have been dragged forcibly into the brush and dense woods north of the bridge, beyond the scope of your short-range scouting expeditions (at this time!). You are able to surmise that many of those who have been attacked on this section of the road were likely folk fleeing from Fallyran, further north along this path.
Ohan takes his rangers to investigate the wagons, ambush blinds and tree markings
Investigation: 8
"Interesting... Well done " replies Frenevir to the report "Leave that marks there. Try to use some of our familiars to scout the area and see if anyone follow them. This information will be really useful to Captain Branwen"
PbP Character: A few ;)
Ohan - Further investigation confirms the initial findings: these outposts were used in recent ambushes against relatively lightly armed travelers, likely refugees from Fallyran who never arrived at Brivensrook's towers and the safety therein. The strange tree markings seem to refer to some kind of code, though without more information further study is likely to be fruitless.
Branwen - After returning to your safehouse and debriefing what you have found, you get a report from one of your agents. A message between members of the local Thieves Guild has been intercepted, and it does not bode well. It is a report on the comings and goings on three of your agents, as well as several innocent folk, with apparent intent to observe and even eliminate, in the near future. Your agents are quickly withdrawn to safety, their faces changing as easily as the wind, but you cannot help but worry. It seems that the local guild has noticed your presence and understands it as a threat, though why that might be is up to your own speculations. This news, combined with the Mayor's gold-fraud, has dire implications for the overall health of the town and region, and some action will need to be taken on both fronts if order is to be restored. There is always the fear that some lingering presence of the Enemy might be at work, even now...
All - Following your various exploits, and after getting settled in Brivensrook, finding it in fairly good order, despite having been briefly under the domain of the Enemy, you all take a moment to connect with each other, updating and sharing what you have observed. Ohan's forces report scattered skirmishes with minor goblin bands on the edges of the forest north of the bridge, at which Ohan's Rangers have made a fairly defensible base camp. The Curumhatar have fortified the town, restoring its defenses and establishing a good rapport with the militia, who are much improved for the connection. Even basics skills, such as showing them how to care for their armor, or how to apply first aid correctly in battlefield engagements, have vastly improved their efficacy and unity. It is likely that they would be able to hold the town even against a larger, better equipped and disciplined foe. The Dahlia have had more mixed results, establishing fleeting contact with a local Thieves Guild across a single intercepted message, revealing that the Guild apparently views you all as a threat. Despite Branwen's hopes that investigating the mayor's office (the same Mayor who has not yet been seen by any of you, nor has he responded to any of the Curumhatar's requests for an audience) would open up a new lead to follow, it revealed only a gradual economic collapse as gold, apparently laundered through a system of East-bound merchants, drain the treasuries of coin. It is a wonder that things have continued to function at all.
All in all, you have successfully restored a modicum of order in Brivensrook - it will not soon fall to outside force, but between local politics and the threat of Goblin raids to the north, not to mention the yet-looming threat of the dragon at Briven's Peak, the board is set. What will you do?
Frenevir looks over the reports and the map they have displayed on a table.
"I do think that now that our position here is a little bit more secured, we do need to take care of the goblin threat. Do you think it is wise to march upon them and destroy their camp? " he asks to the other commanders.
PbP Character: A few ;)
Ohan examining the map and says, "We do currently have a sound hold on the area on the outskirts of the forest. I don't think sending some troops in to take care of the goblins would be a bad idea."
"What shall we do?"
Branwen fills Ohan and Frenevir in on the mayor's dirty deeds and the economic catastrophe looming on the horizon. She pauses toward the end of the explanation, before adding, "It seems the thieves guild has determined we are a threat. I see two options going forward: we attempt to establish contact and win them to our cause, or we simply deal with them. Some strategic assassinations would allow us to infiltrate the guild and . . . redirect its point of view."
"How many will be needed to calm this goblin threat?" Branwen asks, having reverted to her true, blurry changeling form. She smiles at Ohan and Frenevir.
"I know some of your lot is supposed to be the muscle, but we're not afraid to get our hands dirty if we're needed," the changeling continues, gesturing to a few members of the Dahlia behind her. "Just let me know, otherwise, I suppose we'll continue seeking out information about the thieves guild."
Walks in [insert absurd situation].
Honorary Leader in the Pixie Peewee Powderpuff Pals!
"Let's get a force together to move on the forest"
Frenevir informs the other Captains of their findings at the streets of the small town.
"We let the markings there, under surveillance. We cannot make sense of it but I do hope you could. Either way I think they can be used to track and identify spies or members of this guild. I do think that it is important to know if they are servants of the Enemy or just local thieves that simply do not like authority. The later we can handle, despite their methods we do need all the help we could get. If the former is the case then we need to destroy them I do think that a fast, well placed strike at the forest of our combined forces would put the threat of the goblins at rest and we could destroy their encampment. Do we all agree on this?" he asks to the others.
PbP Character: A few ;)
"I am in agreement with that approach." (Ohan replies with a head nod)
(Branwen, when you get a chance, let me know if members of the Dahlia are joining the Dauvin Rangers and the Curumhatar in the Forest Raid! Otherwise, we will continue the narrative in Brivensrook with the Thieves Guild and the Mayor, whom you have yet to actually meet.)
As the sun crests over the Easter reaches of the forest, the Rangers and the Curumhatar make a quiet farewell from Brivensrook. Its defenses bolstered, its militia reinforced with steel and hope, the militia captain bids you a stoic but well-intentioned farewell. It's clear he is under a deal of stress and worries that you may not return - he is easily put at ease with a few words of encouragement, and you make your departure.
Ohan! Please roll a SURVIVAL check for me as the Rangers guide the combined force through the woods towards the Goblin encampment. Then roll a STEALTH check to determine whether or not you are spotted by enemies on the way.
Frenevir! Please roll a PERCEPTION check for me as your sharp-eyed elves scan the environment for signs of the Enemy's touch.
Survival: 16
Stealth: 13
( Sorry missed this! Perception: 6 on game log. The sharp-eyed elves have a hangover from last night wine it seems ;) )
PbP Character: A few ;)