Return of the Slavelords Part 3 “the Siege of Bright Tower”

Return of the Slavelords Part 3 “the Siege of Bright Tower”

Part 1 - Return of the Slavelords
Part 2 - ‘Bright City, Dark Hearts


The Heroes of the Grey Mark have been at the Bright Tower for almost a week now… have raced here before the Orcish army of the wizard Malice Ironhand, in the hopes of finally faces the Ogre Magi, Fellfrost. This shapeshifting Ogre sorcerer had killed an number of captives that they had taken some months ago, and the half-Orc Norbac and the others decided to track the creature down and make it pay for its’ crimes.

Reinforcements from Greyhawk and surrounding garrisons have been arriving with some regularity at the fort for the last week or so, including about one hundred and fifty heavy infantry (the 5th Steel Garrison and Grey Wall), and just over fifty light, irregular mix of foot and cavalry units. Along with the irregulars was an additional group of Warmages under Khaltus of Blackmoor, and a contingent of clerics of the Monastery of Canonicus, clerics of Order of St. Cuthbert. There are two Griffon Riders out of Storm Keep, that arrived two days ago, to acts as quick scouts and messengers. These forces are in addition to the Tower’s base garrison, which includes one hundred and twenty heavy infantry (the Iron Sons), forty two light irregulars and scouts, sixty light or auxiliary cavalry, twenty heavy cavalry knights, and the four clerics of Pelor and five war-wizards on permanent assignment here. Two days ago a large woodsman appeared at the gate and went to speak with Commander Mayness (the party has been in on most of these meetings). The ‘woodsmen’ turned out to be a werebear by the name of Rulf Silverclaw, and he represented a group of seven werebears out of Beltander. They will assist as best they can outside the walls of the Bright Tower, as a small guerilla force. Their hatred of the Orcs and the darkness of the Blackwell overcoming their natural peaceful natures. They do not wish to operate within the with fort’s walls, but will do what they can without, and plan to link up with the Rangers of the Gnarly Forest who will also be operating outside the walls.

Carrier pigeons from the Rangers have reported that the Orcish army is on the move and has reached the edge of the forest already. The Rangers have harassed this army as best they could, but Goblin Worg riders are acting as pickets around them and have made it very difficult to get too close without the risk of exposing them to a greater danger then they might be able to handle. They do report though that the army looks to be made up of almost five hundred Orcs (regular and the great black or Oogur orcs), fifty or so Goblin Worg riders, forty or fifty Ogres and a dozen giants (mostly hill but two Stone Giants also). They did not have any siege equipment, but when the reached the edge of the forest they were meet with another group of Orcs and human mercenaries from the north who did have some…this force numbered around a hundred or so, and moving very fast for so heavily an armed group. The Rangers are back-tracking them back and it appears they came from somewhere around the City of Dyvers.

The latest caravans of reinforcements and supplies from Greyhawk have also reported nightly raids by heavily armed and armored Orcs, similar to the group that the party ran into on the plains of the Grey Mark a few weeks ago. These raiders are mostly on foot, but there have been of number of Orcs also riding Dire Hyenas… numbers were only estimates, but it appears that at least an additional force of at least fifty to one hundred Orcs gathering in and around the plains of the Tower.

Tonight, Commander Mayness has called the party to join him for dinner and his nightly Military Council meeting that includes his other commanders and the new reinforcement officers…

“Well now lads and lasses” the Commander starts “We have ourselves a situation it seems. The Militia Commander of Greyhawk have promised me an additional force of 300 troops, supported by War-wizards and Priests, but they will not be here for two weeks.”

“The Orcs under the banner of this Ironhand will be here in less then three days, more then like the night after tomorrow… with a force far greater then what we have. The Tower itself will provide us some protection, for the Orcs themselves will have trouble operating to close it due to their light-sensitivity… but if they can somehow negate that, we might be in trouble, Khaltus and Xonic Yellowcloak have some contingent plans to counter some expected spells that the enemy might set against us, but we must also plan for the unexpected.”

“The Rangers of the Gnarly Forest and the few werebears under Rulf Silverclaw will do their best to harass and disrupt the army; attacking their supply lines and outer pickets to divert as much of their forces away from us as possible.”

Then looking at the party he says “And this brings us to your band and what role you might be able to play for us. Depending on the power of the Ironhand, we expect that he will have some magical protection around certain parts of his camp, including Dimensional Anchor and Detect Scrying, with some other divination and protection spells. We also are assuming that there will be enemy casters who will be dedicated to counter-spelling, as we have within our own forces”

“You are not under my command, but if you remain within the walls you will be expected to follow my orders. But I do not yet know your plans. If you wish to assist in our defense within the walls of the keep, I will assign you all to the North Wall. The hills and buffs are deepest on that side and that is where I expect the heaviest fighting.”

“If you wish to operate outside the walls, you might wish to link up with the Ranger or operate as you will. The enemies Siege Engines worry me, for I expect them also to be protected and warded. If you are going to help us outside the walls that is where I would start.”

“Now the wizard and his band will more then likely be the most heavily guarded, and if you wish to make a strike against them I would wait until most of the army has been competed to attacking our walls”

“Now then, what plans do you have? What assistance can I provide to you?”

Verrick Human Rogue/Wizard

Verrick speaks up, "I should think that we will be most effective beyond the walls. We can certainly try to disrupt the siege engins. If we can predict their path and placement, perhaps we can lay a trap for them. In terms of assistance, we could use some folk skilled at digging to help us make a place of concealment and perhaps some alchemist's fire to most effectively destroy the equipment." Verrick turns to his companions, "that is my own idea, we have not developed a plan as yet. What say the rest of you. Can anyone think of a better way?"

"Meeb tink dem big leadaz an wizards are too much fer us" sez Norbac. "They kan make golems an stuf. But meeb alsa don´t loike ter scrap behind walls -me´m wif Verrikk, weeb´ll kikk da siege weapons assz, an kills as many captains as weeb kan"

[ooc: sorry, had a problem with a trojan, had to format the hard disk and couldn´t post for a couple days. But with the new thread I though on a change for Norbac.]

Commander Mayness nods his head and looks toward the two wizards and clerics at the table, Xonic Yellowcloak and Khaltus along with Father Malullet Goodson of Pelor and Minister Galdeen of St. Cuthbert “Do any of your companions know of any spells that might assist them outside… Silent spells and the sort, whom can also Scribe Scrolls? If so, assist them to this, primary priority as of now.” The four looks at each other and nod, scribing notes and talking quietly among themselves.

Xonic, a fairly old but fit half-elf with gray hair, then looks up and adds “I can arrange for some of our Alchemist Fire also, mayhap ten or so vials. I have one or two fire proofed sacks that might offer some protection in the case the barer was struck with fire himself… I cannot guarantee that they will protect you in such an event, but they should help.”

Commander Mayness says “I can provide you with some minor healing poisons also, but most I must keep here for I fear we will need them sorely. Our food-stores are good though, so take what you think you will need. Finally, I would like regular reports if you can get them to me… Captain Regrim here, of the Skysoldier Riders, from Storm Keep can meet you a fair distance outside the keep and can carry some light equipment also.”

“I would suggest that you leave by tomorrow late afternoon, before sunfall. The Orc army is moving fast and you should have time to get into a fairly good position outside by then.”

Verrick Human Rogue/Wizard

"Excellent, we'll put anything you can give us to good use. Can you suggest the most like avenue of attack for the seige engins, so that we can go there and pick our position?"

Commander Mayness replies “The flattest lands around here are to the east and south, so they would most likely come from those directions with anything that might be used to scale the walls. The hills to the north of the forts are deep and rough, but if they can move something in there, they could get it closer to the walls before we could do anything about it. So, I would think that the bulk of the army will attack from the north, and that the siege craft will come from the east and south… They cannot afford to leave any avenue open to us, so there will have to be some forces to the west also. The land there is fairly open with a few hills and some cover for any army.”

Norbac nods wen Verrikk an da boz discuss stratgee, but sez next ter nuffin. Ee kows 'is talents arun´t da bestest at da tabul, but in da baddlefield.

[ooc: Any chanz weeb kan git a map?]

(occ still looking for a map, I will see if I can work one out but it will be mighty crude /occ)

Commander Mayness nods and adds “Well iffin’ ye need any more assistances let me know. I will get ye as many maps of the surrounding areas as I can. We have a few cases of food and extra weapons shattered about and also a couple of holes where ye can hide and should be mostly safe from prying eyes. Get some rest and iffin’ ye think of anything else, let my captains know and they will assist you as best we can.”

He then stands to leave but before going he adds “With the blessin’ of the Gods we may well survive the onslaught that will be visited upon us. But we would have had no chance had not these gentle folk saw fit to warn us. For that, ye have my thanks. Good eve to ye all”

Verrick Human Rogue/Wizard

Verrick nods, "Thank you sir." He turns to the others,"I think we should get a good night's rest and go out first thing in the morning for a little scouting and figure out where we'll set up. Any other suggestions?"