The Wildemount Irregulars (2020)

Silent, make an Intimidation check with advantage.

Intimidation 11 

(Edit: Didn't see advantage earlier! In case this is a higher roll, 18) 

Silent, the gnoll's ears flatten, it sniffs, then backs away, then turns and runs.  You can make a ranged attack if you wish, but either way, combat is over and you are victorious once again.

This time it's Chipper, the halfling guard who was so impressed with your sword at the start of your journey, who comes over to speak to you now that battle is over.  She looks tired, and a little wounded, but otherwise okay.  Captain says it's lucky for us you're such good fighters, 'cause we're not lucky about anything else.  You all okay?  We killed ours pretty quick this time.  Captain says we've seen more fighting than some Crownsguard ever do, just in the last few days.  Not sure I believe that, you know?

Giants, maniac birds, gnolls... yeah, I can see where she's coming from. Not your average pickpockets or bandits here.

How's this all, uh, goin' for you? Took me a while to get used to killing, I can tell you that. Not sure it's a path I'd recommend. 

Yeah, no, animals is one thing, but giants that talk is another, and I'm not sure what to make of those gnoll things.  Still, much better they come for us than some family on a farm somewhere.  Chipper considers your words, and seems to want to spend some time alone.

Captain Fray does eventually call the camp to order, and you pass the rest of the night without being disturbed for the most part.  Silent, you hear some yipping and growling in your dreams, but that's about it.

The following day, there's a definite change on the road. You encounter your first patrol at noon, and the second only two hours later, then two more before you make camp. Each patrol of twelve Crownsguard looks tired but serious, and some of them have cuts and tears to their armour suggesting recent fighting. Captain Fray comes to speak to you all: It's not been made public knowledge yet, as far as I know, but the Ashguard Garrison fell the first day of the war. The starosta expected - well, we all expected to be truthful - that it would be retaken in a matter of days. That's three weeks ago, and it seems the krin are bedding in and not moving. Thus, the patrols we've seen. Bladegarden is hoping that the show of force will deter attacks on the road at least, but damn, the Xhorhasians mean business. Anyway, we're two days out of the town. Just thought you ought to know, is all.

Ashguard is on the way to Bladegarden, right? Are we planning to... take a look at what's going on there? 

Balassar just takes a breath as he cleans his blade before putting it in the sheath. As the Crownsguard speaks he just nods “I would agree with that. Wouldn’t be surprised if this sees some type of promotion or award for you all.” With that he just begins to go about the rest of his day cleaning his equipment.

As the morning come and the news from Captain Fray he instinctively turns his head in the direction of the Ashguard Garrison. For the first time the usually stoic dragonborn’s eyes begin to show him drifting back into a memory, as lips curl back in rage and anger showing his teeth. His eyes growing darker as the news sets in of the loss of Ashguard. He just looks at the Captain, his voice filled with the anger reflected in his face “We’ll help take it back. I won’t let them have the Ashguard.”

To Silent:  No, thank the gods we won't need to go near Ashguard Garrison itself.  It's further east; we'll stick to the north path to Bladegarden.  There might be folk there who try to conscript you all, but I've clear instructions from the lawmaster and they won't risk offending him.

To Balassar;  Fray pauses, and looks at you with some sympathy:  Did.... Do you have friends there?

Balassar just nods his face still looking into the distance "Don't know if you would know of them, but I was apart of the Ash Stalker Company."

Fray shakes her head.  Don't recognise the name, but... I'm really sorry.  I hope your comrades are okay.  People will know more in Bladegarden. And if you get stonewalled, come find me.  I have a few favours I can call in.

Is there anything you want to say or do with Captain Fray or the rest of the caravan before we move forward?  The road is safe now, and you won't be attacked by Xhorhasian guerillas on the way, so the next will be arrival in Bladegarden.

Alton sits around cleaning up his gear with the use of prestidigitation and quietly listens to the conversations that are going on. He watches the patrols pass by, his eyes darting from face to face to see if maybe he can spot his sister. 

Silent is exhausted from the battles and will try to get as much sleep as he can before the arrival in Bladegarden, inwardly uneasy about the news of conflict with the Krynn so close by. 

Balassar will just clean his equipment and rest when he can.

Another day passes on the road, another night passes by the campfire.  You are tired, everyone in the caravan is tired and ready for this difficult, dangerous  journey to be over.  The following day continues, the countryside dotted with more farms than you've seen since leaving Felderwin Tillage, though the countryside here is not quite so rich.    Alton, you do not spot your sister, though the thought that you might boosts your spirits a little. And as the afternoon grows old, you see up ahead the sight of Bladegarden, the walled city that stands defending the eastern edge of the Empire against the Xhorhasian threat.  You see little beyond the walls, at least not initially; there are few tall buildings within.  One you do see is the large roof of perhaps a great hall in the eastern side of the city.  As you reach the gates, you see other wagons carrying grain and other food, though seemingly having travelled less far.

The gate is not a problem, not for the escort accompanying the Crownsguard; Captain Fray seems to know one of the guards, a halfling who has Felderwin in his accent.  You are waved through efficiently, and the guards turn to the next set of wagons in line.  Inside, the city of Bladegarden is packed to bursting with folks, some Crownsguard and Righteous Brand soldiers, many apparent refugees from the Ashguard Garrison; Balassar, you've visited this town many times, and it's always been crowded behind the walls, but never quite like this.  The wagons make slow progress as they turn east towards the large hall and complex of the Righteous Brand, and your cargo's ultimate destination.  For Silent and Alton, as first time visitors (I think?) this is very different to Felderwin: fewer halflings, more half-orcs and dragonborn for one.  And it's... drab.  Compared with the bright, colourful streets of Felderwin, the Menagerie Coast and Upper Hupperdook, this feels like a military town, functional more than decorative.

As you reach the gate into the Righteous Brand compound, perhaps an hour before sunset, Captain Fray comes over to you:  They won't want you inside the compound, I'm afraid.  Not even the drivers are going in.  They're.. nervous about security.  Everyone is.  Look, your job is done, and you're free to return to Felderwin if you like, but I'd be grateful if you could stick around a day or two.  Maybe, meet me tomorrow evening?  There's a good inn and tavern over on Odakar Street, the Burnt Scabbard.  Popular with dragonborn, but a good atmosphere, friendly to outsiders.

Balassar just nods "Seems more crowded, though take that's due to the situation." he looks at the other two companions "I don't know about you two, but I want to stay and help." with that his attention turns back to Fray "Haven't been here in a while, are there any good smiths still around?"

Silent nods heartily. If you're payin' for drinks Captain, I'll be there. Can't say no to free booze. What is it you think you'll need, got another job for us? 

Alton looks around the area as they enter taking in what is going on and also looking out for his sister. "Not much cheer here, must be hard to keep moral up." He gives a small chuckle to himself, "I feel kind of small now."

He nudges Silent as they stand outside the gate and gives him a cheeky grin, "I bet we can get a free round or two of drinks between the two of us."

You'd better ask a local, Fray replies to Balassar.  And I'm glad you're staying.  As for a job, I guess I'll find out now, or tomorrow.  See you at the Scabbard.  She walks through the gate, and the guards indicate - politely but firmly - with their body language that you won't be following her.  A troop of Righteous Brands marches up the narrow street, forcing you and the rest of the crowd to make way for them, though people seem happy to do so - this is a very military town.

You stand in the streets of Bladegarden, in the early evening.  What would you like to do?  Are you headed to the Burnt Scabbard, or somewhere else?

Silent looks to Balassar and Alton. What say we do some sightseeing before getting wasted tomorrow? Balassar, anywhere you'd recommend checking out?