"We're all busy. Let's get this meeting underway!" Dar Gremath gestures to the table in the centre of the room where there are maps and notes. Everyone gathers around.
"Let's hear your reports first," suggests Dar Gremath. "Adalbar, what do you know about what's happened to Marl?" The sandy-haired man who was talking to Old Kellar replies. "Marl has suffered heavily under the Iron Circle. This Nazin Redthorn has ordered it burned as a warning to other villages. The village is ruins. The Iron Circle brought creatures in to hunt down those hiding - not just dogs but drakes too. Goblins have been seen skulking around. The villagers who have been captured have been taken somewhere, I'm not sure where." "Has anyone gotten away?" asks a balding, round faced man of about 60 years. "A few of the outlying farms are still inhabited," replies Adalbar. "The nearest steading belongs to Curwen Puddifoot and his halfling clan. He and his family have taken in a dozen of Marl's refugees. Others have fled to other steadings, including some to yours, Bran." The round faced man nods. He turns to the party. "I'm Bran Torsson, the elder of Tor's Hold. I was a delver too, once, along with Dar Gremath here. Nowdays I run the hold that my father founded." Bran turns back to the others. "Those stinking croakers have become active at the wrong time, we have our hands full keeping them away from our sheep and our people. I can supply up to 40 fighters, not many experienced, mind. But not while the bullywugs are kicking up a fuss. We need someone to go sort them out." Bran looks meaningfully at the party and then Dar. "We'll get to that," replies Dar Gremath. "Adalbar, what's happening in Easthill? Why isn't the elder of Easthill here?" The sandy haired man replies "Sarken Toldorff is completely cowed by what's happened to Marl. He doesn't want the same to happen to Easthill. I've stepped up to organise resistance from Easthill. I can supply a few warriors and scouts."
Dar Gremath nods at a woman, obviously human but with elven blood judging by her slightly pointed ears and high cheekbones. She is in middle age, which for a half-elf would be well over a century. "Madera, could you tell us how fares Dardun?" "We have been heavily oppressed by the Iron Circle," said Madera Lirr, elder of Dardun. "Their troops, human and hobgoblin, patrol the streets and we are routinely terrorised and threatened. We have no resistance there. All the able-bodied men have been told their family's lives are forfeit if they cause trouble. I think the best idea is for us to petition aid from the Woodsinger clan of wood elves."
"Old Kellar, tell us about Harken Village," says Dar Gremath, after nodding at Madera Lirr, acknowledging her statement. "The Iron Circle have captured the keep, and Baron Stockmer and family are being held hostage there. There are about 60 Iron Circle soldiers there. Harken Village is thoroughly cowed and any who can put up any resistance have already left and are here in Albridge. The only good news is they are not killing people indiscriminately, in fact they are actually going out of their way not to kill anyone unless an example has to be made. They are here to rule, not pillage and destroy."
The two remaining people reported to the group what was happening in their areas.
Willet Reedfoot was an older, charmingly roguish halfling who represented the Reedfoot halfling clan whose home was the White River. They owned and operated six keelboats, each home to a large and boisterous family. The Reedfoots are allies of the resistance and help by running messages and transporting spies and scouts the length of the White River.
Reithann the druid was an elderly human woman dressed in robes of brown and green and carrying a gnarled staff. She was closely attended by her two apprentices, Lorel and Theran. Reithann was firmly on the side of the rebels and vowed to aid the resistance in anyway she could. She was the master of Druid's Grove, to the north of Albridge.
Dar Gremath introduced the party, and Old Kellar told them how the party had struck the first blow against the Iron Circle before the annexation of Harkenwold had even begun.
DM's Note: At this point the party can make any suggestions, or give the council information, such as that which was noted in the hobgoblin's note.
Esa doesn't seem bothered by being left out of the handshakes. She looks him over with a blank expression, before saying "Dar, was it? Pleasure to meet you." She remains on Augustin, but leans in to better hear the conversation.
As the talks continue and Harken Village is brought up, Esa comments for those who may not know that the Harken Forest is somewhat enchanted. Augustin will also know that this is where Esa is originally from, as she would have let it slip over their time spent together.
Both Esa and Stryke will know of the Woodsinger wood elves. This nomadic tribe consists of a dozen bands, numbering near 200 in total. Each band shifts from camp to camp every few months. The campsite marked on the Harkenwold map is the closest of the camps. The elves and the humans have had an old accord which neither side has broken. The humans only cut down trees within a mile of the forest edge, and the elves don't kill them for that.
Esa especially knows the obligation culture of the fey. For the Woodsinger elves to help the humans, it would be likely they would ask something in return.
Stryke would still like to ritually cast detect poison and disease to check no one in the meeting has weeping pox and try to move around to get as much of the village as possible.
Stryke would still like to ritually cast detect poison and disease to check no one in the meeting has weeping pox and try to move around to get as much of the village as possible.
Stryke gets a negative result.
Stryke also notices a difference in the population here. Even the refugees from Harken Village are affected. They are more galvanised, more animated, more active. Yes, there is fear of the coming conflict with the Iron Circle, but it seems when humans are faced with a common enemy they rally and have a sense of purpose, other than day to day survival.
After Grimbald reads the hobgoblin letter aloud, the others at the meeting are shocked that humans would ally with such horrible creatures. And that fellow humans / humanoids would be handed over for who-knows-what but everyone is thinking worst case scenario.
The council of resistance discusses what should happen next.
That Albridge will be the centre of resistance is agreed, and that people willing to fight should come to Albridge.
That an assault on Harken Keep would be foolish and everyone would die and therefore the Iron Circle troops need to be drawn out, and making Albridge the centre and symbol of resistance will help.
Spread chaos behind the Iron Circle lines.
Stop the bullywugs.
Petition the Woodsinger elves for aid.
There is a big discussion about what the party's contribution should be.
Adalbar of Easthill and Madera Lirr of Dardun, think the party should head to the Spellsinger camp and petition the wood elves for aid.
Dar Gremath is in favour of the party harassing the Iron Circle behind enemy lines, attacking outposts and destroying supply wagons to further encourage the Iron Circle troops from leaving Harken Keep and meeting the resistance in the field.
Bran Torsson is in favour of the party heading to Toadwallow Caverns to kill the bullywug chief, hopefully throwing them into chaos as they fight for leadership of the tribe, maybe even trigger a civil war if the Harkenwolders are lucky. Now that Grimbald has read out the hobgoblin's note, Reithann the druid agrees that this should be a priority.
Eventually they all turn to the party and ask which of these tasks do they think their collective talents would be best suited for? Or if all of them, in which order?
Esa doesn't have a preference, she's happy to let the others make the choice. She tells the group "Just pick something interesting. I don't want to be bored..."
Grimbald "my talents lay in scouting, sneaking and shooting...sometimes. Im better in the forests than fields, anywhere with a good tree. But causing a civil war amongst stinkin frogs is fine by me also"
"hey Paladin, you got the makings of a leader in these parts , you seem smart. Your tall, so I look up to you. You might have more sway being... well human... talking to other humans. That shiny armor always helps when impressing folk too. What should we do? "
Stryke would prefer the bullywugs or harrassing the iron circle as both are acting to upset the balance. While he craves the surrounds of a good forest again he is wary about negotiating with elves.
"hey Paladin, you got the makings of a leader in these parts , you seem smart. Your tall, so I look up to you. You might have more sway being... well human... talking to other humans. That shiny armor always helps when impressing folk too. What should we do? "
Grimbald remembers he has some shiny - albeit bloodspattered and dented - chainmail armour that he liberated from the hobgoblin.
Then he remembers that the party never checked the pockets of the goblins or the bedding in case they had some valuables.
He agrees with the bullywugs, the less stressors facing the people, the more resources we can point at the iron circles. If we can petition some parties to help slow the iron circle, that would buy us some time to obtain more reinforcements and mount a better offensive. More notable we can spend a bit more time training these poor kids we call troops out there.
If there is anyway we can slow the Iron circles fortification, we would greatly appreciate that help.
We will fight for our homeland and we will not let it remain in these hands for long.
"Impressive words Paladin, you're a smart one. And those goblin arrows bounced off ya like they were nothing. But I think you could trade your armour and this <showing the hobgoblin chain mail> for splint mail with Kathrid. You use your charm, and Ill try and help with a bit of Dwarven mates rates <Help action> That's if your not too attached to that noisy stuff." say Grimbald
After the meeting is over, you see Dar Gremath talking with an older, white haired halfling, who you find out later is Gerrad Button, Albridge's Elder. Kathrid tells you the Elder has handed over running of the militia to Dar Gremath, as Elder Button is a good administrator but not experienced as a tactician nor has any knowledge of military matters.
"He's good enough to know he's out of his depth," the female dwarf smith says, as you all walk back to the manor house that serves as refugee quarters. "Grab yer gear and we'll see about putting you up in the inn. It's not going to have any paying customers anytime soon."
Augustin and Grimbald sound her out about swapping two sets of chain armour for one set of splint for Augustin.
Augustin make a persuasion check with advantage.
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Kathrid nods. "I can get you some." She points at her hip, and Grimbald sees a hand-crossbow looped onto her belt.
(Later, after the meeting, she will give Grimbald 20 crossbow bolts for his hand crossbow)
"We're all busy. Let's get this meeting underway!" Dar Gremath gestures to the table in the centre of the room where there are maps and notes. Everyone gathers around.
"Let's hear your reports first," suggests Dar Gremath. "Adalbar, what do you know about what's happened to Marl?"
The sandy-haired man who was talking to Old Kellar replies.
"Marl has suffered heavily under the Iron Circle. This Nazin Redthorn has ordered it burned as a warning to other villages. The village is ruins. The Iron Circle brought creatures in to hunt down those hiding - not just dogs but drakes too. Goblins have been seen skulking around. The villagers who have been captured have been taken somewhere, I'm not sure where."
"Has anyone gotten away?" asks a balding, round faced man of about 60 years.
"A few of the outlying farms are still inhabited," replies Adalbar. "The nearest steading belongs to Curwen Puddifoot and his halfling clan. He and his family have taken in a dozen of Marl's refugees. Others have fled to other steadings, including some to yours, Bran."
The round faced man nods. He turns to the party. "I'm Bran Torsson, the elder of Tor's Hold. I was a delver too, once, along with Dar Gremath here. Nowdays I run the hold that my father founded."
Bran turns back to the others. "Those stinking croakers have become active at the wrong time, we have our hands full keeping them away from our sheep and our people. I can supply up to 40 fighters, not many experienced, mind. But not while the bullywugs are kicking up a fuss. We need someone to go sort them out." Bran looks meaningfully at the party and then Dar.
"We'll get to that," replies Dar Gremath. "Adalbar, what's happening in Easthill? Why isn't the elder of Easthill here?"
The sandy haired man replies "Sarken Toldorff is completely cowed by what's happened to Marl. He doesn't want the same to happen to Easthill. I've stepped up to organise resistance from Easthill. I can supply a few warriors and scouts."
Dar Gremath nods at a woman, obviously human but with elven blood judging by her slightly pointed ears and high cheekbones. She is in middle age, which for a half-elf would be well over a century.
"Madera, could you tell us how fares Dardun?"
"We have been heavily oppressed by the Iron Circle," said Madera Lirr, elder of Dardun. "Their troops, human and hobgoblin, patrol the streets and we are routinely terrorised and threatened. We have no resistance there. All the able-bodied men have been told their family's lives are forfeit if they cause trouble. I think the best idea is for us to petition aid from the Woodsinger clan of wood elves."
"Old Kellar, tell us about Harken Village," says Dar Gremath, after nodding at Madera Lirr, acknowledging her statement.
"The Iron Circle have captured the keep, and Baron Stockmer and family are being held hostage there. There are about 60 Iron Circle soldiers there. Harken Village is thoroughly cowed and any who can put up any resistance have already left and are here in Albridge. The only good news is they are not killing people indiscriminately, in fact they are actually going out of their way not to kill anyone unless an example has to be made. They are here to rule, not pillage and destroy."
The two remaining people reported to the group what was happening in their areas.
Willet Reedfoot was an older, charmingly roguish halfling who represented the Reedfoot halfling clan whose home was the White River. They owned and operated six keelboats, each home to a large and boisterous family. The Reedfoots are allies of the resistance and help by running messages and transporting spies and scouts the length of the White River.
Reithann the druid was an elderly human woman dressed in robes of brown and green and carrying a gnarled staff. She was closely attended by her two apprentices, Lorel and Theran. Reithann was firmly on the side of the rebels and vowed to aid the resistance in anyway she could. She was the master of Druid's Grove, to the north of Albridge.
Dar Gremath introduced the party, and Old Kellar told them how the party had struck the first blow against the Iron Circle before the annexation of Harkenwold had even begun.
DM's Note: At this point the party can make any suggestions, or give the council information, such as that which was noted in the hobgoblin's note.
Esa doesn't seem bothered by being left out of the handshakes. She looks him over with a blank expression, before saying "Dar, was it? Pleasure to meet you." She remains on Augustin, but leans in to better hear the conversation.
As the talks continue and Harken Village is brought up, Esa comments for those who may not know that the Harken Forest is somewhat enchanted. Augustin will also know that this is where Esa is originally from, as she would have let it slip over their time spent together.
Both Esa and Stryke will know of the Woodsinger wood elves. This nomadic tribe consists of a dozen bands, numbering near 200 in total. Each band shifts from camp to camp every few months. The campsite marked on the Harkenwold map is the closest of the camps. The elves and the humans have had an old accord which neither side has broken. The humans only cut down trees within a mile of the forest edge, and the elves don't kill them for that.
Esa especially knows the obligation culture of the fey. For the Woodsinger elves to help the humans, it would be likely they would ask something in return.
Grimbald mentions the message found on the hobgoblin
Stryke would still like to ritually cast detect poison and disease to check no one in the meeting has weeping pox and try to move around to get as much of the village as possible.
Stryke gets a negative result.
Stryke also notices a difference in the population here. Even the refugees from Harken Village are affected. They are more galvanised, more animated, more active. Yes, there is fear of the coming conflict with the Iron Circle, but it seems when humans are faced with a common enemy they rally and have a sense of purpose, other than day to day survival.
After Grimbald reads the hobgoblin letter aloud, the others at the meeting are shocked that humans would ally with such horrible creatures. And that fellow humans / humanoids would be handed over for who-knows-what but everyone is thinking worst case scenario.
The council of resistance discusses what should happen next.
There is a big discussion about what the party's contribution should be.
Adalbar of Easthill and Madera Lirr of Dardun, think the party should head to the Spellsinger camp and petition the wood elves for aid.
Dar Gremath is in favour of the party harassing the Iron Circle behind enemy lines, attacking outposts and destroying supply wagons to further encourage the Iron Circle troops from leaving Harken Keep and meeting the resistance in the field.
Bran Torsson is in favour of the party heading to Toadwallow Caverns to kill the bullywug chief, hopefully throwing them into chaos as they fight for leadership of the tribe, maybe even trigger a civil war if the Harkenwolders are lucky. Now that Grimbald has read out the hobgoblin's note, Reithann the druid agrees that this should be a priority.
Eventually they all turn to the party and ask which of these tasks do they think their collective talents would be best suited for? Or if all of them, in which order?
20
Esa doesn't have a preference, she's happy to let the others make the choice. She tells the group "Just pick something interesting. I don't want to be bored..."
Grimbald "my talents lay in scouting, sneaking and shooting...sometimes. Im better in the forests than fields, anywhere with a good tree. But causing a civil war amongst stinkin frogs is fine by me also"
"hey Paladin, you got the makings of a leader in these parts , you seem smart. Your tall, so I look up to you. You might have more sway being... well human... talking to other humans. That shiny armor always helps when impressing folk too. What should we do? "
Stryke would prefer the bullywugs or harrassing the iron circle as both are acting to upset the balance. While he craves the surrounds of a good forest again he is wary about negotiating with elves.
Grimbald remembers he has some shiny - albeit bloodspattered and dented - chainmail armour that he liberated from the hobgoblin.
Then he remembers that the party never checked the pockets of the goblins or the bedding in case they had some valuables.
Vakiel would prefer the bullywugs…the longer her can avoid the iron circle, the better.
sounds like 4 votes for bullywugs, I agree its a cute name,. Does our clanky human paladin agree?
a strong, silent type.
Clank Clank goes the Paladin.
He agrees with the bullywugs, the less stressors facing the people, the more resources we can point at the iron circles. If we can petition some parties to help slow the iron circle, that would buy us some time to obtain more reinforcements and mount a better offensive. More notable we can spend a bit more time training these poor kids we call troops out there.
If there is anyway we can slow the Iron circles fortification, we would greatly appreciate that help.
We will fight for our homeland and we will not let it remain in these hands for long.
"Impressive words Paladin, you're a smart one. And those goblin arrows bounced off ya like they were nothing. But I think you could trade your armour and this <showing the hobgoblin chain mail> for splint mail with Kathrid. You use your charm, and Ill try and help with a bit of Dwarven mates rates <Help action> That's if your not too attached to that noisy stuff." say Grimbald
After the meeting is over, you see Dar Gremath talking with an older, white haired halfling, who you find out later is Gerrad Button, Albridge's Elder. Kathrid tells you the Elder has handed over running of the militia to Dar Gremath, as Elder Button is a good administrator but not experienced as a tactician nor has any knowledge of military matters.
"He's good enough to know he's out of his depth," the female dwarf smith says, as you all walk back to the manor house that serves as refugee quarters. "Grab yer gear and we'll see about putting you up in the inn. It's not going to have any paying customers anytime soon."
Augustin and Grimbald sound her out about swapping two sets of chain armour for one set of splint for Augustin.
Augustin make a persuasion check with advantage.