(CSRHoD) Creamsteak's Red Hand of Doom [IC]

[Redclaw]

Larian's face grows even more grim. I fear that answers my first question for you. You haven't seen Jorr, have you? We sent him back to town two days ago, but found his dogs and pack four miles away from town on the Dawn Way. I fear he has fallen to these vermin. Larian pauses to mourn the loss of an acquaintance.

As for our success, while it is quite real, we can only promise you a delay in the danger you all face. We cleared out the force staying at Vraath Keep and discovered a map with plans for a large-scale invasion of Elsir Vale. The map indicated another small force holding Skull Gorge Bridge for the invading force, so we decided to scout it out and see what we could do. It was then that we sent Jorr back to tell you of the host that will soon move against you.

We arrived at the bridge to discover not just hobgoblins but a green dragon as well. The force was organized and skilled. We managed to defeat them, although only to chase the dragon off, and then our skilled druid went ahead to scout the full strength of the army. I will let her describe for you what she saw. Here Larian turns to Avril and encourages her to speak.

 

[Creamsteak]

"Jorr? I'm sad to say I havn't seen him. I doubt that anything in the forest, especially goblins, could slow him down. If he was ambushed somehow, I wonder by what?"

Regarding Vraath, "That old haunted place? Well, I guess that means the rumors of wild spirits and ghosts there are undoubtedly false then. It must have been the goblin's doing."

When you menition the bridge, Wiston goes on, "Good to hear that you were able to remove them from the bridge. It's a fairly important part of our trade route to the north."

 

[Vigwyn the Unruly]

Pender, Male Human Fighter 6

At this last bit, Pender raises and eyebrow but keeps his peace. He looks to the others to see how they will handle this delicate situation with the townspeople they so obviously care for.

 

[Arkhandus]

Warren the halfling

(ooc: Sorry, I'd have been more active in the past day or two except I didn't have computer access for a while. Might not be very active this next week, I don't know yet how soon my computer situation will be back to normal.)

Warren sighs. Jorr's probably dead now, he thinks, and this place is just looking more dangerous by the day. "We need to do something to fortify Drellin's Ferry or get some troops out here, not that I expect any real help to be available. If we can't organize some kind of formidable defenses against the gobbos and their monstrous allies, we'll have to head out again and find somewhere else we can disrupt their forces and cut off supply lines for their gathering troops."

 

[Arkhandus]

"Oh, and from the sound of it, I think the dragon we fought at the bridge must've sapped it after we left...." Warren adds, looking upset, lying easily.

 

[Redclaw]

The bridge's destruction will actually provide you the possibility of survival, good speaker. The force that is coming is beyond the ability of this town to resist. I fear your only hope is to leave the town and find a more fortified city, with a sizeable guard, to make your stand from.

I know this news is dire and unexpected, but I can assure you that in a matter of days, downed bridge or not, your town will be overrun by all manner of beast, as well as thousands of goblinoids organized under a single banner. Larian does his best to avoid actually telling Wiston what to do, but he tries to impress upon the human how much danger he is in.

 

[Pinotage]

Avril - Human Druid - AC 17 - hp 42/42 - Spot +12 - Listen +12

It was good to see Drelin Ferry again, and not just because it was still standing and in one piece. Here was some hope of finding Jorr, although Avril firmly believed that despite her findings at the ambush, the wily Jorr had a few tricks up his sleeve. The death of such fine dogs, though, spelt a poor few days for Nature. If they could find Jorr, he would be here, or sheltered somewhere in the Witchwood. One did not live there for so long and not pick up something about the wild.

Larian and Warren addressed the assembled men and women, including the Speaker. Avril nodded along, wondering how they were going to arrange the volume of people in such a short time, whether to defence or retreat. She suspected the latter along the Dawn Way would buy them more time. If Koth's map was anything to go by, then the further they went along the Dawn Way, the longer the invasion would take.

"Larian is right, Speaker," she interupted, "I have seen with my own eyes a force numbering thousands - well trainded and extremely well armed in might and magic. Amongst their number were futher dragons, giants, manticores, and hordes of bloodthirsty goblinoids. This is no ordinary invasion force. This is something that's been massing in the Cinder Hills and Witchwood for some time. I would not take this lightly. The destruction of the bridge will buy us days - days that we should use to evacuate these people. Larian, do you have that map?"

She explained to Larian to show Koth's map to the Speaker, and in particular the town captain. If anything was going to be done, the captain's military skill was going to be paramount. "This map shows the invasion. We have but days to get Drelin's Ferry evacuated along the Dawn Way. You must move to a more defensible position, and along the way warn the rest of the towns and cities. We will then do what we can to slow this army's progress." And if Jorr is still alive, we must find him.

[SBLOCK=OOC]
OOC:

Spells and Abilities Active:

Spells Cast and Abilities/Items Used:

Wand of Babau Slime (1 Used)
Flaming Sphere
Produce Flame

Spells Prepared:

Spells Prepared (Normal 5/3/3/2, Wis 0/1/1/1):

Level 0 (5): Cure Minor Wounds (2), Detect Magic (2), Guidance
Level 1 (4): Cure Light Wounds, Enrage Animal, Faerie Fire
Level 2 (4): Barkskin, Bull's Strength, Bear's Endurance
Level 3 (3): Call Lightning, Cure Moderate Wounds, Sleet Storm

XP: 450 (Forest Trolls)

Avril's Character Sheet [/SBLOCK]

 

[Redclaw]

Larian removes the map from his pack and shows it to those assembled.

 

[Creamsteak]

Wiston takes in the statements, though he doesn't let them phase him yet. He turns to Soranna, "Can you go get him? Tell him were having an emergency meeting. I'm sure his opinions will be required here." Sorrana leaves quietly, going outside in search of someone.

Wiston looks over your map. "That's our vale, all right. What do you think some of these names mean? Saarvith? Ghostlord... that's an old local fable about a druid isn't it? Turgarun? Ozyrrendion? Kharn?"

"I guess you're right about the bridge. It will be costly to replace though..."

After three or four minutes (Long enough for you to answer those questions I imagine) Soranna returns with a man in tow. A sour-faced man who is evidently a man of some proporty.

"I'm sorry to interfere in your trade Iormel. It seems that in a matter of days we're going to have an army of goblins, hobgoblins, and monsters on our doorsteps. What do we do? Fight? Try to talk to them? Abandon the town and flee? Or nothing and hope to Kord they don't come this way?"

Iormel quickly responds, "We can't let them take everything we've worked so hard for, just because we lack the nerve to stand up to a few goblins."

Kellin, the innkeeper states, "They want treasure, don't they? Let's give it to them this time, but see to our defenses. If they come back next year and ask for more, we'll be ready to fight then."

Delora, an ex-adventurer herself seems to respond with the most authentic belief in Avril's words. "I've seen towns put to the sword before. Death or slavery await us if we remain here. WE must gather the things we can and flee east, the sooner the better."

Soranna remains silent on the matter.

Wiston seems indecisive, given all the opinions, "I guess I dont' see that it could hurt to at least ask them what they want... maybe we should tell folks to get their children and elderly in wagons heading east, while we still can. What do you all think?" He directs the question towards the party.

 

[Redclaw]

Larian shakes his head in sympathy for the difficult decisions the town's leaders must make.Sadly, I too have seen towns put to the sword, and it's a sight I would rather live the rest of my life without seeing again. The map, and the notes on it, suggest they aren't just after a bit of treasure. They have plans that take them all the way to Brindol. Your village is but a bump in their road, and I doubt they'll even pause to parlay with you.

He turns to Captain Soranna. Realistically, how many hobgoblins could your guard hold off at a time? Given a few days to dig in and set up defenses, maye a hundred? There are a hundred times that many coming.

He turns to Kellin. Your valor is admirable, but the reality is grim. Have you ever fought a dragon? A manticore? They fly, so those defenses you build will pose little hindrance to them.

He turns at last to Iormel. I understand your concern for what you've worked so hard to build, but I have just seen the remains of Vraath Keep, a fortified stone outpost, designed to defend those within. It was destroyed by a few giants. This force has more, and other powerful allies. Your town will be levelled in no time if you try to stand against them. Wouldn't it be better to preserve what you can by taking it on the road to Brindol?

He adresses the entire group. I wish I were not the one to be bringing you such news, but your lives are about to change drastically. I fear that if you stay here and try to avoid that change, or to ignore it, that it will cost you your lives. This is no small inconvenience, and no short-lived threat to a few citizens. This is war, and you are the first town in its path. Save the lives of your townsfolk.