D&D 5E [IC] hafrogman's Hoard of the Dragon Queen

[kuey1975]

He bows slightly to Carad.

"That must have been quite the shot. I am impressed."

Carad looked uncomfortable with the attention he was getting. He stuttered in reply, "It... it was just a lucky shot."

Pausing for a while, he added on in query, "Governor, any word from the mill?"

 

[hafrogman]

Nighthill shakes his head.

"No, no word. If they are just building this hoard as the prisoner suggested, perhaps it is too low priority to them. It would be a blow to the town, but there is little chance of us getting any scouts out there with the keep still surrounded."

 

[kuey1975]

Carad pondered briefly, before he replied, "We managed to exit and enter the keep through the forgotten tunnels. The enemies seem not to know of it." Concerned over the well-being of the villagers who might have taken refuge there, he continued, "If you wish, we could investigate the mill and make sure the villagers are safe?" Turning to Morgan, he quickly added, "Lieutenant, that is if you agree." Through the facade of elven serenity, Carad appeared to be increasingly restless over the helplessness he was feeling.

 

[Forged Fury]

Morgan just wanted to rest; she had nearly died just a short while ago. But she shared Carad's concern over the potentially trapped civilians at the mill. Slowly rising to her feet, she said, "Sure, We all have to die sometime." Looking to Governor Nighthill, she finished, "Have there been any other developments at the mill that we should know about?"

 

[hafrogman]

He shakes his head again.

"No, as I said, we haven't sent anyone out there nor heard word. Even through the tunnels, I wouldn't send anyone out there alone. You have all done so much for us, and I do not even know if there are any refugees there. I would not ask you to go chasing off after what may be a fool's errand. But if you go, you will go with my blessings and all our hopes for success."

 

[Steve Gorak]

Coming back from the walls of the keep, Jeni heard the last few sentenses uttered by Nighthill .

Shaking her head, she said "perhaps a night's rest is in order then. I'm not one to go on a fool's errand, and the night is teeming with enemies"

 

[Forged Fury]

Morgan paused at the Governor's response. If current intelligence didn't indicate there were any civilians being held there, it would be a fool's errand to go there, at least as far as she was concerned. "Carad, can you send the owl there and have it come back with a report? I'm hesitant to head out there if no lives are in danger. A mill can always be rebuilt if necessary."

 

[kuey1975]

Carad berated himself for not thinking of this.

"Yes, Lieutenant. Should have thought of that."

Turning to the governor, Carad asked, "Governor, could you point out which building is the mill?" Once he had gotten the information, Carad summoned Scree to his side. "Go," he commanded his familiar. "Scout out that building, and report if it is under attack or if there are villagers trapped in there."

With that, Scree leapt into the air and glided away into the darkness.

 

[hafrogman]

Governor Nighthill points out the direction of the mill and Scree duly heads off in that direction. The mill is some 500 feet away, as the owl flies (#4 on the map) and Carad feels a vague sense of detachment as Scree's almost constant presence fades from his mind in a few seconds.

There is a hushed minute as the gathered group watches the southwest sky. Then you spot the wings beating through the night and Scree has returned. The information sent back is a little jumbled as you were unable to see directly through his eyes yourself, but it is clear that there are enemy forces gathering at the mill, but there is no sign of refugees. The mill is intact for now, doors closed, and the attackers appear to be building fires again as they were at the temple.

 

[kuey1975]

Carad stared intently at Scree as he communed silently with the owl. He paused briefly before turning to the team.

"It's strange. Scree didn't see any villagers at the mill, but the enemy forces are gathering there nonetheless. And it seems that they are attempting to set fire to the place, too. Might they be attempting to destroy something at the mill? Or perhaps there are villagers hiding inside that Scree didn't spot?"

 

[Spartain104]

"Very possible, survivors may be inside. However I would take an army of Kobold and cultists and an encounter with a dragon as the end to a long day. It has worn us down. Besides, Tea would be in order and I find it hard to produce during combat."

Venn stands near the others, his gaze never leaving the clouds. The bluish fire that inhabits his pupils still lingers like a smoldering fire. Whether or not he realizes the strangeness of his words seems to matter little. Those cold blue eyes stared ad infinitum into the abyss like a hawk for prey.

 

[Forged Fury]

Morgan cursed, "I think it's too big of a risk right now. We know for sure that there are people within the walls of the Keep who need our protection. I'm sure it's only a matter of time before the enemy makes another move against the Keep and we need to be ready for it."

Turning to Nighthill, she asked, "Is there anywhere in particular we should rest?"

 

[hafrogman]

Nighthill looks dismayed as Carad relays Scree's news.

"Fire? If it burns we'll lose all our stockpiled flour. It will be a harsh winter with no food for my people. Why would they set fire to it? It doesn't make sense. You must excuse me, I have to see if I can assemble enough defenders from the guards and refugees to see if we can make it out and stop them. You have served us all so well this night, you can rest anywhere you can find room, but I'm afraid everyone must share tonight."

With that, he turns to leave, calling for Escobert

 

[Forged Fury]

Sighing heavily, Morgan called out, "Hold a second, Governor. If the loss of the mill would cause such hardship, I think we'd all be willing to head back out again, depleted as we are."

 

[hafrogman]

The Governor turns back, hope warring on his face with his own inability to defend his people.

"If, if you could distract them. Stop them from setting fire while I rally our forces, we could have reinforcements take over from there. We could just use a few more minutes."

 

[Steve Gorak]

Upon hearing the Governor's words, Jeni now knew that she would have to wait for the rest she yearned for. This changes everything She said to herself.

Morgan's words echoed her own. She readied her bow and arrow and said "I am ready to go!"

 

[Forged Fury]

Morgan looked to the rest to see if they were willing.

 

[Skarsgard]

Hunter dragged himself to his feet. "Aye commander!"

"May I recommend that you let Carad and I scout ahead? When we get closer, Scree can have a better look for him."
The dark skinned warrior turns to the governor, "Any idea how many of your townsfolk are unaccounted for? It is a long way for us to protect a number of non-combatants."

"The last time we did this we were nearly finished." he looks at his wounded and weary companions. "I think the priority is to work out if there are any townsfolk in the mill or if it is just random destruction. Our job will be a lot easier if it is just the later."

 

[kuey1975]

"Agree," Carad chipped in. "I suggest we approach the mill via the tunnel and the riverbed, like earlier tonight. From there, I can send Scree into the mill to verify if there are any townsfolk trapped inside. If there are none, we would just need to harass the raiders long enough for the Governor to send reinforcements."

At a thought, he continued, "But yes, it seems strange that they are burning the mill just to destroy the stockpile of flour. So far, they have only seemed interested in harassing the townsfolk and gathering loot."

 

[Spartain104]

"Aye, I'm in as well." Venn stooped and pulled his frail form from his seat. He gathered his robe about himself and stood defiantly alongside his more brazen and brawny allies.

"If we need to head back in lets be quick about it. My frail bones can only take so much. Some tea and rest would do me wonders..."