Conquering the Barbarian Altanis: Session 129

March 31, 2025

Adventurers

Character	Class	Description
Balarus	Fighter level 4	An ex-woodsman, quite a crackshot with his bow.
Bragi Twinefinger	Halfling level 2	A stout strong halfling. As a devotee of the Great Tailor he is always smartly dressed (under his armour) and overly fond of multiple breakfasts.
Ambros	Cleric level 6	Follower of Aniu, Lord of Time.
Ignaeus	Elf level 4	A slightly weathered looking elf with dull blonde hair and chiseled features. Seeks wealth and knowledge.
Foxglove	Thief level 5	A willowy human, long hair ties in a pony tail, looks a bit dangerous and dainty at the same time.
Dalkanarion	Fighter level 4	A youthful specimen in full strength, full of purpose, bluster, and eagerness to prove himself.
Thorm	Dwarf level 2	Ashen hair, beard, and eyes. Left his own clan due to financial trouble.

Dewsnap 1st, Airday

“What is the meaning of this?!” young Lord Kyle yelled at Ambros and his retinue.

Ambros was flanked by two heroes—Dalkanarion and Balarus respectively—as well as master dwarf Thorm. Behind them an army of holy warriors on a crusade.

By end of Gloomfrost some two hundred seasoned soldiers accompanied by another hundred non-combatants—families of the most dedicated—arrived at Hara. They carried banners sporting head of a bearded man—holy symbol of Forseti—and have arrived to serve the new High Priest, Ambros Ap Mortain. Their travel was long and difficult. They left their homes forever, a sacrifice for the great god of peace.

Knight Marlon val Brookwood, a minor noble, leads a squadron of heavy horsemen. Jace, a tall woman with long blonde hair tied in a braided pony-tail, leads a squadron of mounted crossbowmen. Men tremble in her presence. Vicar Arlon, leads a throng of heavy footmen. These soldiers are incredibly brave and dedicated to their cause. All pledged their allegiance to Ambros, the Justice Supreme of Hara. And they are very, very enthusiastic about peace and justice.

Expensive too.

Eager to find a reliable source of income for his new personal army, Ambros remembered young Lord Kyle and his plea to help him retake Cedarwade keep. He also carried a bloodied note recovered from Graylock's lair, which had Kyle's signature on it.

Justice Supreme was about to find out if Kyle had been smuggling goods past Hara. That would be most unfortunate for the young lord.

“We are here to reclaim the Cedarwade keep!”

“Is that so?! Then I invite you to my humble home!”

Soldiers erected a sizable tent-camp just north of Midway, while Ambros, Ignaeus, Balarus, Dalkanarion, Thorm, Marlon, and Arlon went to lord's manor.

Prior to setting out, Ambros spent weeks rummaging through temple records. Many were in poor shape, making it difficult to make out the details. There are at least seven different organisation systems, hence it is a huge pain to reference and cross reference reports. Three most recent records Ambros was able to find about Lord Kyle—-and most readable because they are the only intact ones—-had shown that Kyle family has accrued great debt with Imrael family. In fact, the latest document concludes that Kyle has refused to hand over his estate and fief to Imrael, as well as refused to show up in Hara at the Temple for the hearing. Therefore, Imrael is allowed to take what he is owed by force.

Foxglove did an investigation of his own as well, hanging out at all the usual places. He learned that Midway Red is the most valuable wine in the region. Historically, its shipments have often been raided and then smuggled for great profit. Kyle family owns the vineyards close to Midway and oversees the production. Kyle Senior died in one of the raiding ambushes, opting to sink the barges with wine instead of handing them over. His young son, whom had inherited the manor and fief, has been nothing but trouble for thieves and smugglers. Luckily, he is too weak and commands virtually no force, so the business flows better than ever.

The dinner began cordial and pleasant. Lord Kyle was curious as ever. Dalkanarion regaled him with his adventuring tales. Balarus are in silence, bemused. Nervous in the presence of such awesome warriors, young lord had a drink too much, and was taken completely unaware when Ambros raised his concerns.

“Don't speak of justice to me! I have suffered nothing but injustice and indignity at your temple!” Kyle Junior spoke with liquid courage. Dalkanarion's snarl and Ambros's cold gaze calmed him in a moment. Everything took a much darker turn as Ambros pressed on with his interrogation.

“I can't do what you are asking of me! You are handing me the rope to hang myself with!” young lord pleaded as adventurers goaded him to stop paying protection money to Hara and pay them instead. They wanted to know how much does he have, how much can he pay them, they wanted to know it all.

But when Ambros took out the bloodied note all fell silent. Lord Kyle went pale as a ghost. When High Priest passed him the note, young man cupped his face and broke into tears. “Come now young lord, this is very unlordy of you. What will your men think?” Dalkanarion attempted to console him.

Painfully aware of his pathetic position, Lord Kyle did the best he could. He answered all the questions, allowed adventurers entry into the manor library, and finally, reached an agreement that they were happy with.

“Secure my lands. Reclaim my keep. Clear my name. In return, I will grant land your holy soldiers. Ambros, I will erect a temple to Forseti. Dalkanarion, I will name you castellan of Cedarwade keep. Balarus, I will grant you 600 acres to raise a manor of your own. Thorm, I will appoint you as Overseer of a mine.”

The land in question is east of Hara, across the river, and south-east of Castle of the Wode. It is rich, fertile soil. It is also dangerous land, infested with beasts, wildlife, and all kinds of scum. Nothing that worries this brave band—they were already dreaming a kingdom of their own.

Dewsnap 2nd, Waterday

Ambros and his army reached Cedarwade an hour or so before the nightfall. It was the last month of winter and days were still short. Ignaeus volunteered to scout the keep as night falls. Thorm and Dalkanarion joined him. The trio rode as far as the trees provided cover.

There she stood, a rectangular little fort with a tower on each corner and broken gatehouse. No signs of life were visible. Ignaeus dismounted and crawled over the clearance. Dalkanarion and Thorm remained mounted at the edge of woods, watching the walls closely. Elf disappeared from their sight, much die to lack of sunlight and his crawling skills.

Ignaeus proceeded on his belly, inching towards the south-east fort tower. Then he felt the land under him give in, and he tumbled into a ten feet deep ditch. Looking left and right revealed a long ditch, covered with tarps and soil. Strong enough to withstand some weight, but would immediately give in under a mass of armed soldiers.

“Look!” Thorm pointed alarmingly at a group of figures exiting the fort. There was six of them, humanoid, and with long shafted weapons. They approached the hole created by Ignaeus. The elf, oblivious to what is happening above, continued exploring the ditch.

Dalkanarion and Thorm fired at the figures, missing. Then they rode towards where they believed Ignaeus should be, yelling. Dalkanarion led Ignaeus's horse by the reins. The figures retreated into the keep.

Upon hearing the commotion above, the elf attempted to climb up the ditch. Alas! He lost footing and fell down! A volley of arrows whooshed past two brave warriors above. Their horses were wounded. Success! Ignaeus climbed up! Tragedy! Dalkanarion flying through the air, his horse slain!

“Go! Run for the trees!”

The trio fled, surviving several volleys.

“The keep was not abandoned. It was occupied, and its defenders were ready for war...” Thorm informed Ambros and others.

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