Session 108a: "A place for everything and everything......" or "It's a closed door....crunch.....now it's an open door!"

23rd day of Deepsnow 1492 (Full Moon)

Mission:  Defence of Triboar

Campaign: Black Maw Bog

Location(s):  Triboar.

Present: Aerie, Anor, Bandur, Garet, Heimund & Droop, Karion, Paskan

(Roughly 9pm -10pm) 3 to 4 Hours since notification of enemy on the march came in:

Paskan: "What do you think about putting barriers in front of the gates so that we can funnel

the enemy."

Aerie: "I'd say it's not a bad suggestion, depending on whether or not we have the materials, 

lumber or thick sticks that we can thrash together, and the time to make and place these 

barriers. The enemy should be bottlenecked at the gates, assuming they managed to break

through the door, as the entryway is only so big, though, and it would probably take us more

time to construct the barriers than it would for them to rip them down... in short, they could

prove handy, but may not be worth the time or materials."

Master Raemond: "Great idea Paskan I'll get the merchants to move stuff to cover all 

the gates."

Karion: "There is no time to waste. I'll find out what I can. We'll be in for a deadly encounter

 if it is indeed the force found in the bog. I will do my best to remain unseen. My wild shape 

can last up to four hours for each time I use it. If all else fails and I am spotted, I'll use the 

pendant to return, as you stated."

Aerie: "Thank you, may the Winged Mother guard you and grant you favourable winds

in your journey. Be safe, Karion."

Karion departed soon after to carry out the reconnaissance of the enemy.

Heimund, Paskan and Bandur moved to the Yartar gate, whilst Aerie, Garet and Anor approached the Temple of Waukeen. 

The defences:

Heimund and Bandur oversaw the placing of barricades but winced at the two small carts, laden with hay, placed one in front of each gateway.

Heimund: "Well at least it will slow them down and we can fire them to further block the gateway should the gates fail us!"

The 11 surviving riders from the Black Max Bog patrol were supervising the barricades they would defend. Heimund and Bandur split the 40 militia into 2 strong groups of 15. 5 spears, 5 swords and 5 bows per length of wall. The gap between the 2 gates they placed 10 militia bows to supplement the group. The 2 ballista had been dropped off at the towers, however they were still crated up. Heimund enquired of the militia sergeant when the ballista were dropped off.

Sgt: "They were dropped off about 30 minutes ago, when that big wagon and some 12 outriders rode through heading up the Yartar road like the devil himself were after them!"

Paskan: "If we get them up to the towers sergeant I'll try and remember how they go together!"

The sergeant detailed off men to move the crates, one to each tower and assist unpacking them.

Sgt: "I've took the liberty of placing out what stakes we had along the northern section of wall. Should slow them down awhile in the dark".

Bandur: "Shame that Orcs can see in the dark, but they may help".

Paskan: "Sergeant, send some men back to the streets just west of the market. I remember seeing some stone walls there. Get them to tear them down and bring what rocks they can to the wall".

Bandur: "Good idea lad".

The Sergeant hurried off to order more men to fetch rocks. Heimund ensured that water and the 2 promised barrels of oil were on the walls, 1 by each gate. The sergeant assured him that had been done. The fires were ready to be lit too.

Heimund: "I'd start heating the water up, but move the fires to the towers, inside so they are covered. We can move the oil and water out above the gates when needed".

Sgt: "Bloody hell, you'll be asking me to jump through hoops next!"

Bandur: "No lad, that comes after, when we've won the battle!"

The Temple of Waukeen:

(knock-knock........no answer)

Aerie: "Try harder Anor.....harder"

(knock-knock........no answer)

Garet: "Once more for good measure?"

Anor looked at them both.....smiled and shouted, but did not bang on the door!

Anor: "Knock bloody knock-knock!"

The he kicked the door in, he kicked it that hard it flew off its hinges. Stepping inside the Temple he stood on the flattened door.

Voice: "Ughhhhh, ughhhhhh.....get off me!"

Under the door was a body, Anor had not seen in the gloom of the interior of the temple. Anor and Garet lifted the door off the prone body to find the grave digger.

Garet: "Just who we wanted to have a little chat with, inside or outside Aerie?"

Aerie: "Outside I think, we don't want to defile the temple any more than we already have. Doors can be repaired; blood takes a while to clean off the floor!"

Anor: "Job done, that was a goodun. Liked that. Like kicking in doors. Now I'm off to the wall. Go easy on him Garet, just slice off 1 ear, then he can still hear, and one eye gauged out, then he can still see. If he still don't talk, then just gut him, and leave him for the crows to finish off....(looks at the cowering grave keeper) See ya."

Anor took off at a run towards the Yartar gate.

Garet dragged the cowering grave keeper so he was sitting up.

Garet: "The lady's going to ask you some questions, how you answer depends on what happens. Get the picture?"

Garet was now playing with his favourite dagger, the grave keeper nodded slowly.

Aerie: "Oh great winged mother Aerdrie Faenya I say your prayer in the hope that this man being questioned shall tell the truth before your eyes and ours".

Aerie looked at Garet and nodded. The grave keeper yelled out:

Grave Keeper: "You said she was going to ask the questions not some mumbo jumbo".

Garet: "Oh did I, well she didn't get the answer she wanted so....(Garet lunged the dagger he was holding into the grave keepers thigh, he screamed).....now, question 1....oh by the way you're only bleeding a little bit.... now back to question 1: What is under Triboar? Caverns? Tunnels? What?"

GK: "I don't know. Never been down there". (TRUTH)

Garet looks at Aerie, she nods.

Garet thinks awhile....

Garet: "Ok, then, still part of question 1: Do you know anyone that has been 'down there'?"

GK: "No, no." (LIE)

Garet looks at Aerie, she shakes her head.

Garet swiftly brings the dagger up and down, the grave keeper just looked at the ear that fell into his lap....................and SCREAMED.

Garet: "Shall we try that again?"

He switched his grip to the remaining ear and as he brough the dagger down the grave keeper blurted out in a half scream.

GK: "She has, she has". (TRUTH)

Aerie: "and She being.......who? The Temple Priestess?"

Garet flashed the dagger for effect, it had the right one.

GK: "Yes the priestess". (TRUTH)

Aerie noticed that some of the civilians from the area were gathering, a few from the Shady Gryphon.

Aerie: "We have reason to believe this man has knowledge of why this invasion is happening, and what the enemy is after. We also have evidence that suggests he may be acting as an inside agent and is a threat to the safety of Triboar. Please continue what you were doing and do your best to ignore this- it may not look it, but we are trying to help keep you alive and safe."

The gathering crowd dispersed quite quickly.

Garet: "Ok, good, so what's down there, something that would scare a 6 year old boy?"

GK: "I don't know, not allowed down there" (TRUTH)

Garet: " What is the history of Triboar- does the priestess know? Or has she tomes detailing it."

GK: "Not seen any tomes, you mean things with words in don't you, no nothing like that". (TRUTH)

Aerie: "Damn, any written history may tell us what's beneath our feet, as it has been mentioned the town was rebuilt a couple of time- but why? What happened?"  

Garet: "What the hell is this army after? On the surface it's just like any other "normal" town in Faerun- what makes this such a desirable target for an enemy that's amassed a small army of races that typically aren't seen together? For them to send roughly 700+ AND a Raver- one hell of an asset for them- there HAS to be something!"

GK: "I may die but you will too. The Horde will level Triboar in search of what is needed to stop Her. May Asmodeus take my life and save me".

Garet, distracted could not stop the grave keeper snatching the dagger and slitting his own throat. Aerie looked down at the grave keeper as he gurgled on his own blood.

Aerie: "I have seen into your heart, and it is black and evil- do not speak to me of mercy or kindness!" 

Master Raemund strode purposefully into the graveyard.

Raemond: "There you are. Find anything out? Unless it's of importance then you need to get to your positions. They are here!"

Aerie and Garet joined the others on the walls. Paskan and Anor had succeeded in putting the ballista together. They had passed the barricades and the members of the '12' manning them.

Master Raemund joined them and looked out at the host before the walls. 

At that moment an owl flew down to the top of Anor's tower. Karion changed into Elf form and hurried to the group.

Karion: "There are more than we thought. I have counted nearly 1000 around the walls and more are streaming down from the north. I have not seen the Raver nor the Blue Dragon."

Aerie looked to the skies and chanted:

Aerie: "Oh Great and Powerful Winged Mother, Lady of the Skies and Winds, Bringer of Rain 

and Storms, I come before you with a heartfelt prayer, that you may assist me in a most

dark hour. An enemy army, numbering in the high hundreds, approaches this town with 

hardened hearts and evil intent; our odds are roughly 4:1 for them, and the danger is rapidly 

approaching. I fear this is the work of the Cult of the Dragon, and that this is a bid from them 

to gain more dark power. Even as your Chosen, bestowed with power beyond anything I 

could have ever imagined by your grace and benevolence, I fear I may not be strong enough 

to stay the hand of evil this night- even with those who have rallied alongside my party. I seek

not grand attacks, or a powerful smite to wipe out the enemy before us- but merely assistance, and perhaps a little fun for yourself. I ask that you dance, gambol within your domain- your clouds and skies, and bring about a storm upon our enemy's heads that would slow their advance. Light the skies with your brilliant lightning, deafen their ears with your roaring thunder; and shatter their dark desires with ice and hail, blind and slow them with your 

powerful winds, if only to buy us another hour.  Ascend, soar, glide, dive, and ascend again

 that we may relish in the freedom that you bequeath. The only other thing I would ask,

is that you watch over Karion, who has taken the form of an owl, to act as our eyes, that 

we may glean a better understanding of the strength of the foe we face. 

(Aerie took seven feathers she had plucked in secret and cast them into the flames of the fire nearby)

I'm afraid I could find nothing suitable to offer up onto you in gratitude, if only for hearing me

out- but the moment I can, I will make an offering as extravagant as I can manage. Thank you,

Mother, for allowing me to be your Chosen, as unworthy as I feel- I will do my utmost to serve

you loyally to the best of my abilities for as long as I continue to breathe."

The group moved around the walls. Although the host had appeared in the light of the full moon they were still out of bow and ballista range. As they watched they saw the host retire and moved towards the separate wooded areas surrounding Triboar. Undoubtably, 'They', kept a watch over the ground between the forest and the walls.

Kind words and encouragement were offered were necessary. Units were split into rotas. Some would watch, whilst others tried to sleep. None left their posts. The group settled into the towers either side of the gates. They needed to rest, recover their strength and prepare for tomorrows assault.