Conquering the Barbarian Altanis: Session 137
Adventurers
| Character | Race | Class | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gomm | Human | Thief level 6 | Swarthy, good looking, dark-skinned thief. Sweet opium-like aroma is his fragrance of choice. |
| Dalkanarion | Human | Fighter level 5 | A youthful specimen in full strength, full of purpose, bluster, and eagerness to prove himself. |
| Nudd Nuck | Human | Fighter level 1 | A lad from the farm, still wet behind the ears and smelling of dung whom became an adventurer to impress a village lass who jilted him. |
| Sted Jalen | Human | Assassin level 1 | A mass of burnt scar tissue hidden by layers and layers of actors' slap. Rather taciturn. |
Flowerbloom 18th, Earthday
”...”
Dalkanarion looked upon seven of his men that answered call to arms. Seven out of sixty-five. Then he wrote a stern letter to Namelin family, demanding that men assemble next morning. He must march to Cedarwade Keep at once!
When no answer came back by noon, he took to the streets of Hara himself. He was joined by his freshest, and most promising recruit, Nudd Nuck. A simple village boy, but very eager to impress.
By end of the day they managed to hunt down thirteen more men, counting twenty in total. Dalkanarion then instructed Nudd to accompany Hue to the citadel. There the boy carried his message to Tsamar, acting castellan, demanding the men she appointed him to assemble next morning.
Flowerbloom 19th, Fireday
”...”
Dalkanarion looked upon fourteen of his men that answered call to arms. Fourteen out of sixty-five.
“Triple pay for all of you that showed up!” mighty warrior announced, causing uproarious approval from scrawny thugs. After all, it is easy to increase pay when you are not the one paying. “Nudd Nuck, you are now a sergeant!” Young man beamed with pride. He made it in life!
“Gather your belongings. We are marching out right now!”
Flowerbloom 20th, Spiritday
Dalkanarion, Nudd, and their men arrived at Cedarwade Keep just before the nightfall. There they caught up with Gomm, and Sted Jalen. The sneaky duo spent previous two days observing the plateau where a hundred or so brigands were camping. This was the same site they believe a notorious fugitive Wizard Klekless Racoba is hiding.
Thuggish rabble camped right on the plateau. While most were doing nothing, a dozen or so were hauling baskets, crates, and amphorae out of the underground complex. They did not cross the river, nor wander far from the camp. That is how Gomm and Sted left them.
Having already scouted the fording areas, mapped out all the good ambush spots, the duo concocted a plan most devious. Gomm surveyed the surroundings for belladonna. He found enough to make a cask of deadly mixture. This would be administered to the brigands' water or food supply, making the sick and weak.
Combined with superior positioning due to advance intelligence, as well as holy warriors led by knight Marlon val Brookwood, this would all but guarantee victory. Jace, Marlon's courtesan and second in command, was to remain at Cedarwade Keep and ensure it was protected.
Sweetrain 1st, Airday
Dalkanarion's and Marlon's combined forces marched with first rays of sun. The former led fourteen thugs. The former led three lances of heavy horsemen, three lances of mounted crossbowmen, and four squads of heavy footmen. Gomm and Sted Jalen rode on light horses, with plans of their own.
They reached the river few hours after noon. Following their plan as agreed, they assembled on the west river bank and waited for the brigands to attempt to ford the river.
After three or so hours of waiting they decided to re-deploy, splitting their forces on both side of the rivers. Marlon and his horsemen hid in the woods, while heavy footmen were distributed at critical points. Dalkanarion, newly appointed castellan of Cedarwade Keep, overlooked the operation, backed by his fourteen... somethings.
Night fell. No sighting of any brigands or any other unruly mass.
“I'll go check.”
Gomm dismounted and approached the plateau. He knew the way, despite there being only moonlight to guide him. After all, he spent several days spying on the camp.
But this time there were no torches, no camp fires, and no tents. Only plateau. Empty. Devoid of life. The thief crawled on his belly, approaching the former camp carefully. It was indeed abandoned. Foul smell of urine and feces was ever present. Broken branches, extinguished fires, ripped tents—all evidence that he did not hallucinate.
Standing up, he approached the stone stairs leading into the dark pit. Untrapped. Dark. He lit his lantern and descended into darkness. An irregular chamber, some thirty feet wide and twenty feet deep. Simple wooden doors to left and right. A large, intricate, and vivid painting of flora—plants, trees, bushes, and tangled vines—filled the recess in the wall straight ahead.
Investigating it revealed hiden faces. They were diabolical and deformed, sporting malevolent grins and cruel eyes. Gomm noticed several small holes. But he couldn't not see more without coming much, much closer. Something he decided not to do. Perhaps this is why he has lived so long.
Examining the doors revealed that both are unlocked but blocked with something heavy on the other side. Further, Gomm was able to hear light snoring sounds. Having decided this is enough, he returned to the surface. There he spotted Sted Jalen circling the plateau, obviously searching for any interesting clues.
He waved the assassin to him. They agreed that the thief would try to find the dried well mentioned by the ranger twins, while the assassin would watch over the stairs in case something decided to come up.
Sweetrain 2nd, Waterday
In the morning Gomm and Sted reconvened with Dalkanarion and Marlon. They informed them about what they have found, including two entrances into the underground complex.
“I think they have left. Maybe they will return. Maybe they were traders who do business with monsters?”
“What if they have some underground passageway to our keep? That magic-user gave us a lot of trouble last time. And he escaped through the well in our keep... What if those amphorae were filled with some sort of explosive?”
“But why would they then be taking them out?”
“Perhaps they went north? It is weird. I don't have a good feeling about this.”
During night Nudd Nuck found evidence that a body of men moved northwards from the river crossing.
Many ideas and plans were discussed. Adventurers agreed that they need more firepower. Ambros, Ignaeus, Tarkus, Beorg, Thorm... Thus, they agreed that Gomm and Sted Jalen would remain to spy on the plateau, while the rest would return to Cedarwade Keep for reinforcements.
It was a quite march back. Marlon did not say a word to Dalkanarion, but displeasure was written all over his face.
Will adventurers gather the numbers they desire in order to storm the dungeon?
Or will another opportunity pass them by?
Discuss at Dragonsfoot forum.
Subscribe to get the latest post in your inbox. No spam.