Post by Bruce on Jun 13, 2017 11:28:28 GMT
GM’s Observations
- A bit of a long writeup as we ended up having a long session to make up for the preceding short one.
Part 1 - Troubles in Bloodstone Pass (Day 11)
- The next morning, Rook rises early whilst Raquel and Carlotta are still sleeping, and he takes to the air in sparrow-form to see if anything is approaching. He reasons that if there still a spy within the village, the bandits will be on their way now that the harvest is finished. Despite searching for more than hour (at Engine Speed), he finds no sign that the Enemy is nearby.
- Returning to Bloodstone, Rook contacts Griffin via Icon and finds that the Dragoons are already on the move. Griffin says that he’s not sure if they will reach the village by nightfall and Rook suggests that if they cannot arrive before mid-afternoon, they should camp a few hours ride away and then approach on the next day. Griffin agrees to this. Rook asks if Griffin can tell whether the Enemy is coming or not, and Griffin promises to do a divination before the next time they speak.
- Now that the harvest is completed, all of the villagers are concentrating on preparing for war. Olwen remains in command of the 160 archers who are normally the villager’s huntsmen and foragers. The 360 able bodied men and women who are armed with sword and spear have been divided into four groups under the command of Rook, Stephan (the Innkeeper who has previous battle experience) and Baron Tranth, but Rook has decided that he needs a fourth commander. For some time he thought that Griffin would command the fourth group, but he comes to the conclusion that he needs someone else. It cannot be Aldric (the Abbot) who is commanding the Militia, and the 480 older men, women and children of that group are being held in reserve and will (hopefully) not see combat. Quillan appears capable, and he is both Baron Tranth’s advisor and Lady Aelfwynn’s mentor, but he is deemed too old to command troops effectively.
- Rook spends some time with Quillan understanding more about the ‘old magic’ that he wields (and has taught to Aelfwynn). It sounds like it is nature magic and not very useful in combat, but he keeps it in mind anyway.
- At last he speaks to Lady Aelfwynn. She is no helpless damsel and she seems to know how to use a sword. Rook puts her to the test, suggesting that they spar. He easily bests her, and she is offended by the exchange - but Rook decides based on the conversation that she is the fourth commander that he needs. Rook puts his recommendation to Baron Tranth and he reluctantly agrees. He knows that his daughter will be worthy of command, but he did not wish to put her in danger. The Baron asks Rook to look after Lady Aelfwynn if things go badly in the battles ahead, and Rook agrees to this.
- Meanwhile, the Dragoons make their way into Bloodstone Pass. After a few hours they stop at a mountain stream to allow the horses to drink and the riders to rest, and Griffin goes for a walk to stretch his legs. To his surprise, he finds a centaur named Vikos who has been trapped by a fallen tree for two days. Faint with hunger and pinned with a badly broken leg, Vikos had almost given up of being found. Griffin heals his injury (a miracle!) and offers to introduce him to the others. Vikos is very shy about meeting other humans and refuses. He describes himself as a historian, and asks Griffin his name so that he can record their meeting. Griffin obliges and explains their mission to defend the village of Bloodstone. Vikos is intensely interested by this, and clearly wishes to visit the human village so that he can observe and record the events. Griffin welcomes this and they part on friendly terms.
- In the early afternoon, another falcon arrives in the village and Rook is able to retrieve the message. The Bandit emissary is on his way, and Jamison is instructed to report any unusual activity immediately. Rook thinks the situation over. He then contacts Griffin via Icon. Griffin has performed a minor divination - he doesn’t believe that the bandits are on their way yet in force, but the divination is hardly conclusive given that he is not in the village itself. They talk about the next steps, and it is agreed that no falcon will be sent back to the bandits, even though Rook is sorely tempted to release one and then follow it back to the bandit encampment. He decides not to risk tipping the bandits off as to their capabilities. They also decide that the Dragoons should enter the town briefly (to build morale) but not to stay lest the Bandit emissary see them.
- The Dragoons ride on, reaching the outlying farms. The village is not far now. However, one of the farms attracts Griffin’s attention - there is smoke pluming from a crude chimney. Griffin goes to investigate this, wondering why any of the farms would still be inhabited, and finds a group of grey-skinned orcs have taken up residence in the farmstead, holding three farmers hostage - an older man and two young daughters. Rather than bring in the Dragoons, Griffin continues to use a mental invisibility spell to hide himself from the orcs. He appraises the situation, and then uses a powerful sleep spell to knock them all out. Once they are all asleep, it becomes an easy matter to rescue the farmers and dispose of the orcs.
- The Dragoons halt within sight of Bloodstone village. Their morale is high and the men look forward to reaching the village tomorrow. Griffin hears more whispers from them about their suspicion as to who he is. Some of them have called him “Prince Ethan”, judging him to be a Caladorian based on his red hair (which is uncommon). Griffin finds this intriguing but does not confirm their suspicions. Instead he thinks of Abbie and wonders how she is.
- Lady Aelfwynn seeks out Rook to thank him for his confidence. She promises that she will be an effective commander, and Rook advises her to take command tomorrow so that she can get to know them, and they know her. Aelfwynn seems keen to prove herself in battle, and Rook promises that she will get her opportunity to fight.
- That night, there is a big party at the Inn of the Clowns. Rook plays music for the townsfolk to encourage them - he does not tell them that he knows that the emissary is on his way, but he assumes that the emissary will take at least a day to reach the village. That evening he heads out on another reconnaissance and finds that there is no emissary within forty miles to the north - he surmises that the emissary will not arrive tomorrow. He finds Olric’s Dragoons but decides not to spook them by arriving unannounced. He returns to the village and finds Abbott Aldric on another late-night stroll. Rook decides to check the walls (which have not yet been reinforced) and then he contacts Griffin again. Griffin performs another divination and tells him that the Emissary won’t arrive on the next day.
Part 2 - The Dragoons Arrive (Day 12)
- Within two hours of sun-up, the Royal Dragoons arrive in the village of Bloodstone. The sentries alert the villagers which create some small amount of tension, but Rook welcomes Griffin, Olric and the cavalry force into the village where they are warmly welcomed by Baron Tranth, Abbot Aldric, Lady Aelfwynn and the local people. The people are cheering - Griffin can see their spirits brighten. The Dragoons are also happy to have arrived at their destination - Benjamin and Anna have prepared over three hundred pies and pasties for the group.
- Griffin and Rook greet each other heartily. Griffin is eager to look at the village and its defences, but Rook is thinking that the Royal Dragoons cannot linger here for long lest the Bandit emissary notice something upon his inspection. Rook confides with Baron Tranth and he agrees to speak with the Dragoons commanders. Griffin, Olric and two of Olric’s lieutenants are introduced to the Baron, Abbot Aldric, Lady Aelfwynn, Stephan and Quillan. The Baron personally thanks each of them, but Griffin gets some uncomfortable looks. The Baron clearly knows this realm’s Ethan and he is unsettled by his arrival. Lady Aelfwynn is also visibly affected and needs to withdraw to compose herself. Abbot Aldric merely coldly stares at Griffin. Even Quillan gives him a long searching look, and. Griffin does his best to ignore their reactions and behave normally, though he is a little curious as to what this realm’s Ethan has done to make them so nervous. He guesses that Aelfwynn and this realm’s Ethan had some sort of relationship, but she thought him gone - but clearly some of the others did not approve.
- Rook asks for the Royal Dragoons to collect provisions from the baker and then withdraw to the nearby woods which should hide and shelter them - he has already worked out the best location, and offers to send Olwyn and another huntsman with them. Rook suggests that their commander Olric remain to become more familiar with the village, but Olric proudly refuses, saying that he will stay with his men. Rook smiles - he was warned that Olric looks just like his old geography teacher, Mister Elwood and this man is just as stubborn. Referring to Griffin as “My Lord”, Olric says that the Dragoons will do as ordered, and remain in the woods until called for. Griffin thanks him, and says to Rook that he will go with them too. Rook is a little surprised at this, but says that he is required here. He says it with just enough authority that it makes it clear to all that Rook is in command here and has authority. Griffin accepts the situation.
- At this, Rook asks his three commanders to organise the villagers, tell them that the Dragoons will be moving out because the bandit emissary is on his way, and they will return when the emissary has left. He also asks the commanders to halt training before the sun reaches its zenith (i.e.: before midday) and then everyone is to rest and ‘go back to normal’ until the emissary has visited and left.
- The Bloodstone villagers commence their drills and preparations. Olric advises his men that they are moving out, and they leave quickly before any of the men become too comfortable (though with the provisions supplied by the villagers). Rook appraises the situation and decides that the transition has been handled satisfactorily - he gave the villagers no chance to chatter amongst themselves, forced them to remain organised and focussed on the task at hand. He knows that the Dragoons also saw this and it should lift their spirits to see that the villagers are not so helpless as some might have feared.
- While the people of Bloodstone drill, Rook takes Griffin around the village, explaining the natural defences and the defences that will need to be built, the ways in which the village could be attacked, and the weaknesses that Rook sees. None of the broken walls have been repaired. Rook explains that the emissary is likely to be an observant man or woman so he has focussed mainly on preparing the people so that they can defend themselves now, but also in the future.
- While Rook and Griffin talk about the situation, the four children who have become Rook’s frequent companions come to see him. The older children, Jack and Philip, ask questions about Griffin and where he has come from. They ask if he is a ‘Caladorian’, and Griffin asks what makes them ask. Philip sagely says that everyone knows that the Caladorians have red hair. Griffin laughs and says that he must be Caladorian then. The children are smart though and recognise that Griffin didn’t answer the question. Changing the topic, Griffin shows them some of his favourite magic, using small objects to create a planetary system. The kids watch, bemused, but are not particularly impressed. They ask to see some ‘real magic’, which makes Rook chuckle as Griffin squirms. Taking a deep breath, he says that he’ll show them some real magic when the emissary leaves. They don’t seem very satisfied by this, but Rook counsels them that Griffin’s magic is extremely powerful, but they’ll just have to wait to see it for themselves.
Part 3 - The Abbot’s Counsel (Day 12)
- Griffin spends some time assessing the situation in the village. The majority of the villagers don’t react to him apart from noting that he has red hair, but he makes an effort to visit Abbot Aldric in his church in order to find out what is going on. The Abbot seems surprised to see him, and asks what he can do for ‘Your Highness’. Griffin is a little taken aback by this - he didn’t expect to be recognised here as one of the Lost Princes. Speaking carefully, Griffin asks if the Abbot believes him to be Prince Ethan of Calador. The Abbot nods and says that he is sure. Griffin then asks if Grant told him that his name was Ethan. The Abbot’s jaw drops as he realises that Rook is Prince Grant, and Ethan realises the stupidity of his question - he has just blown Rook’s cover identity.
- The Abbot is astonished that Rook could be Prince Grant as Prince Grant is physically much bigger than Rook appears. No one who knew Prince Grant could possibly guess Rook’s identity. Griffin asks him to keep it a secret, and the Abbot agrees. Abbot asks again what he can do for ‘the Prince of Calador’, and Griffin explains simply that he’s here to destroy the bandits and make sure that they never threaten Bloodstone ever again. However, he wasn’t expecting to be known in this place. Griffin admits that he has no memories of being here before, and he wants to know what he has done in this place. The Abbot is skeptical, but he agrees to tell Griffin about Prince Ethan.
- Over a goblet of wine, the Abbot tells Griffin that a young Prince Ethan was brought here for his own protection for two years - he was only a boy then. Then he was sent south to Damara to the court of King Virdin, partly for his education and partly for protection. Calador was always a dangerous place, and the King wanted Ethan to learn from the Damarans. The Abbot speculates that perhaps the King event wanted Prince Ethan to one day marry a Damaran Princess and seal an alliance. The Abbot doesn’t know much about Prince Ethan’s time in Damara - but he returned years later to Bloodstone Pass to visit Baron Tranth and his daughter. The Abbot asks about whether Griffin knows anything of Lady Aelfwynn. Griffin shakes his head. The Abbot ponders how to tell him, and takes another swig of wine. He says that he doesn’t know for sure, but always thought that Prince Ethan was in love the Baron’s daughter and she loved him. But, he adds, that in itself is a tragedy in itself - because Calador is no more. Griffin thinks on this - he understands the Abbot’s point - if there is no Kingdom, then the Ethan of this world has no title, no lands and no riches. The Baron’s daughter would be above ‘Prince’ Ethan’s station. This world’s Ethan could easily be an adventurer or even part of the bandit army, trying to build up some sort of wealth or dominion.
- Griffin thanks the Abbot for sharing what he knows, and then he turns his conversation to the villagers and the village itself. The Abbot knows these people well - what do they lack that they do not have. They talk about faith and courage, and Griffins listens intently to the Abbot’s answers.
- Griffin loses track of time. It is Rook who interrupts him after almost two hours, and Griffin politely excuses himself. Away from the church, Rook asks Griffin’s opinion of the Abbot. Griffin says that Rook seems to have impressed him.
Part 4 - A Bed For the Night (Day 12)
- Rook takes Griffin over to the Inn of the Clowns where he is welcomed by Stephan, Carlotta and Raquel. Carlotta gives Griffin a smile that he likes and he decides that this is definitely a good place to stay. He is given a room, and a chance to take a bath and shave (he’s been on the road for a week). With the trail dirt washed from his hair and clothes, his hair is an even more noticeable red than it was before.
- Garlen and Garvin, dressed formally, are waiting for Griffin when he has finished dressing. They explain that Baron Tranth wishes to speak with him. Griffin accepts, but explains that his clothes are wet (he used the bathtub to wash them) and it will take him a few minutes. Stepping back into his room, he uses a mix of Eidolon and Sorcery to ‘purify’ and then fast-dry the clothes so that they can be worn. Slinging his dragon shield over his back, and strapping his rapier onto his belt, he steps back into the Inn’s common room with clothes as clean as if they were new. Garlen and Garvin seem pleased with his good standard of dress and escort him over to the baronial manor.
- Baron Tranth is in his sitting room. Quillan stands nearby, watching as Griffin enters the room. Dismissing the Pages, the Baron qualifies that his name is “Griffin”, which Ethan confirms. He asks Griffin why he has come to Bloodstone Pass, and Griffin explains that he’s here to stop the bandits such that they never threaten the Baron’s dominion ever again. Narrowing his eyes, the Baron says that the barony is poor, which is why Garlen and Garvin only offered five silver pieces per day - he explains that they could afford little more. Griffin interjects and says that he has no interest in money or riches, which makes the Baron laugh - he says that Griffin would be the first person he’s ever met who has no such interest. Griffin definitely gets the impression that the Baron doesn’t like or trust him. He’s effectively calling Griffin a liar without actually saying it.
- As Griffin thinks about what to say to this, the Baron acknowledges that Rook has spoken very highly of him and Rook has proven that he is a capable warrior and general. The Baron says that he is very grateful that they have both come to Bloodstone to aid them when their need is great. He offers him a bed within his house, as he offered to Rook. Griffin thanks him for it but says that he would prefer to stay at the Inn.
- The Baron seems relieved by Griffin’s decision. He asks what Griffin will do when the battles are done and the war is over. Griffin is a little surprised by the question, but he instantly senses that the Baron is testing him. Nevertheless, he finds the question difficult to answer. He instinctively thinks of Abbie, but feels that there is no point going home if she is with someone else. Griffin says that he doesn’t know - he hasn’t thought that far ahead.
- The Baron asks Griffin about what he thinks of their situation, and Griffin immediately says that they seem well prepared. Tranth chuckles and notes that Rook believes that Griffin can raise walls around the village so as to make it impregnable, even to giants. Griffin smiles as he realises what is behind the statement and why the Baron wanted to meet him. If the Baron knew this realm’s Ethan, then the tone of his voice implies that he doesn’t believe that Griffin can do as he claims. Griffin clears his throat, and explains that should not attempt any such radical magic until after the bandit emissary has left. Even raising one wall would be easily visible. The Baron lowers his gaze and says candidly that the people of Bloodstone have to believe that Griffin can do what Rook says he can do, for they have little choice otherwise. But he hopes that Rook has not been deceived.
- Griffin frowns and thinks. He explains that if he builds anything here, an observant emissary would spot it. He suggests destroying the oaken chair that the Baron is sitting on and rebuilding it, to which Quillan says that most sorcerers are capable repairing things that are broken. Griffin concludes that he needs to build something, just not inside the village itself. He can’t just summon up a storm or summon a waterspout because for all he knows, the emissary is only ten miles away and could see it. At last he has a viable idea. He explains that two days ago they camped in the woods about thirty miles from Bloodstone Pass. He offers to transport them there and show them what he can do.
- Quillan is not sure what to make of the offer, but the Baron cautiously agrees to this after notifying of his house guards that they will be ‘stepping out’. Griffin makes good on his promise, teleporting himself, Quillan and Baron Tranth to a rocky trail with low shrubs. The sun is low, but it is not yet set. Griffin smiles, and sets to work. Normally a teleport would be taxing for him, but he is much more powerful in the Legendary Realm. Using the rock materials on the slope, Griffin reshapes the land, building a forty-foot section of wall eight feet high within a matter of minutes. He then start extending the wall, and building a ditch, pushing the wall section even higher. Quillan is impressed. Tranth’s face has paled with shock. Seeing their reaction, Griffin stops and lets them approach to test that it is not simply an illusion. The Baron is quickly convinced and says that he has never seen anything like it.
- Quillan remarks softly that the Witch King of the north was said to have raised his fortress from the frozen lands in a single day. Griffin thinks on this, and says that he’s never tried to build a whole fortress, but he could certainly build walls around a village, and he intends to. Quillan and Tranth exchange glances. The Baron asks that Griffin return them to Bloodstone, and Griffin agrees to, but first he uses Sorcery to blow huge sections in the wall. The demonstration of raw destructive power and the ease at which Griffin deals it out shocks them even more than the construction.
- Whitefaced, Quillan and Baron Tranth are returned to Bloodstone. At last, Baron says that he believes Griffin. Griffin smiles at this, and asks if there is anything else. Baron Tranth thanks him and says that he can go.
(GM’s note - what wasn’t said in this meeting is that Quillan and Baron Tranth know that Prince Ethan disappeared at about the same time that the Witch King rose in the north. The idea has occurred to them that Griffin could actually be the Witch King somehow without his memories. Hence they are now petrified of him. Yes this is Ethan’s Bad Stuff working overtime.)
- Back at the Inn of the Clowns, Griffin tells Rook about his conversation with the Baron but doesn’t tell him how he convinced the Baron of his ability to defend the village. They talk for a long time about the village and the people in it. Rook confesses privately that he’s seeing both Carlotta and Raquel which makes Griffin quite envious and Rook laughs. In the evening, Rook plays for the crowd and Griffin takes advantage of the music and decides to dance with Carlotta which she seems to enjoy.
- Rook doesn’t get too carried away however. He decides to head out once more in sparrow-form to see if he can find the emissary on the road north. Sure enough, he finds a single traveller on the road who has camped for the night. He decides not to disturb him, and he returns to the village without incident.
Part 5 - The Emissary Arrives (Day 13)
- The next morning is foggy and cold, but Rook and Griffin both rise early and make sure that there is nothing in the village that is likely to attract undue interest from the emissary. They talk over an early breakfast about what will happen if the emissary notices something, and Griffin says that he could change the man’s (or woman’s) memories but there is no guarantee that such meddling would be undetected. “This is the Legendary Realm,” he points out. They both know that they have not yet run into powerful adversaries here, but they will most certainly exist. They agree not to touch the emissary unless absolutely necessary.
- They also discuss tracking the emissary back to the bandit encampment - Grant is keen to do so, but using Wayfinding (which does not work long-range in this place). Griffin counsels against placing any sort of sorcerous ‘marker’ on the emissary lest it be discovered. They also agree not to use Icons unless absolutely necessary.
- Before the fog lifts, the two friends take their positions. Rook has taken the form of a common sparrow, and will follow the emissary at a distance where it is possible to do so. Griffin decides to wait in Jamison’s shop, and uses mental invisibility to mask himself. He wants to know if the emissary will attempt to meet Jamison in person (which of course is impossible given that Jamison has been unmasked and is dead).
- They lie in wait for almost four hours before the emissary rides into town. Arriving a little after 10am, the bandit emissary arrives on a black horse, and begins to look around. The emissary himself is a dark-skinned man, powerfully built, wearing drab clothes, a turban on his head and carrying a curved sword at his side. The man greets Garlen and Garvin pleasantly, notes that they’ve grown and asks that the Baron be notified of his arrival. Whilst Garvin scrambles off, the man asks to be taken to the granary as the first step in his inspection.
- The emissary takes more than four hours looking over the village - counting livestock, inspecting the granary, looking over the walls, admiring Benjamin’s pasties, inspecting the food reserves and logbooks at the Inn of the Clowns, and then reviewing the Baron’s own kitchens and stores. He does not directly enter Jamison’s house, but Griffin notes that the emissary has a strong mind and he decides to remain hidden. During this tour, Rook covertly follows the emissary.
- At lunchtime, the emissary takes over Quillan’s desk, takes out a fresh sheet of parchment and begins to make notes of all that he has seen, and then begins to do some sums. Given that he is working indoors and a sparrow-form would be suspicious, Rook shifts form into a cockroach and then he is able to move about undetected.
- In the late afternoon, the emissary presents his position to the Baron. The ‘Grandfather’ will take two thirds of the grain stores, almost half the livestock and a quota of young men and women. The Baron is uncomfortable with such a request, but instead asks when the ‘collection’ would be due. The emissary says that an army will be sent to collect it in four days (GM’s note - Day 17). The Baron hesitates (playing the part) and the emissary reminds him that any dissent will not be looked kindly upon. He points out that the Grandfather could choose to take the Baron’s daughter if it pleased him, or the lady could remain in the village if the Baron agrees to his terms.
- The Baron nods curtly, and the emissary is pleased. The emissary asks about strangers in the village, and the Baron says that they had tried to find someone to help them, but he says bitterly that that the man fled when he saw just how poor they were. The emissary thanks Baron Tranth for telling him the truth (even though he hasn’t actually done so), but says that the Grandfather may not be so forgiving of his conduct. On that ominous note, the emissary decides that their business is concluded and he decides to leave.
- On the way out, the emissary catches a glimpse of Lady Aelfwynn and goes out of his way to meet her. He kisses her hand and tells his father that she is even more beautiful than the last time that he saw her. The Baron understands the implicit threat. At last the emissary mounts his horse and rides away to the north.
- Rook considers following him but decides to check on Griffin first. He contacts him via Icon and Griffin warns him that the emissary did not come alone. He can sense another presence in the sky above, but whatever it is appears to be concealed by the same sort of magic that he uses. He advises Rook to wait until the other observer leaves.
- At last Griffin is convinced that the other observer has gone and he makes his way over to the Baron’s manor house to talk with Rook. They discuss what happened, and decide that it is too dangerous to track the emissary back to the bandits at this time. Neither of them expected the emissary to have some sort of invisible bodyguard, and they cannot run the risk of tipping the bandits off at this point in time. They find it interesting that the bandits will come in only four days - it suggests to them that their encampment cannot be any more than two, possibly two and half days away.
- The Baron and Lady Aelfwynn joins the discussion, and he expresses how difficult that conversation was for him. Rook thanks the Baron, and tells Griffin that he’ll need to start working on the defences. Griffin nods and says that he’ll start in the evening. He thinks it will take him a good portion of the night, but the first level will be done by morning. Griffin finds that Lady Aelfwynn is staring at him. It makes him uncomfortable and he decides to stay away from her.
Part 6 - Fortifications (Day 13-14)
- Rook and Griffin walk the perimeter before the sun sets and Rook clarifies what he is expecting so that Griffin doesn’t build in the wrong place. Rook has multiple stages of defences in mind, but he asks Griffin to build only the first stage. They figure that if the defences are too complete, the bandits won’t attack which will be a different problem. The four kids follow Rook and Griffin around, excited because they know that something is going to happen. In passing the sentries on the broken northern gate, Rook explains that Griffin will be working this evening. Griffin promises ‘a sight to behold’.
- At last Rook goes back to the comfort of the Inn, and Griffin sits on the broken wall, thinking where to start. He asks Jack (one of the older boys) to fetch the Abbot for him, which he duly does. The Abbot is a little irritable at being summoned in this way, so he wants to know what the problem is. Griffin apologises and explains that he’s going to start building the wall - he figured that the Abbot would want to see. The portly churchman frowns and points out that he has no shovel or any other equipment. Griffin smiles at this.
- With that, Griffin begins repairing the wall using Eidolon, and then raising the structure using Sorcery. Within minutes, the walls are being shaped upwards, becoming ten foot structures of earth and stone, topped by a five foot deep crenellated parapet. The walls are suitable for archers to use as firing positions. As he moves around the perimeter, the wall rises, forming new sections consistent with the first. Griffin adds stairs and hand-holds on the village side to enable the villagers to climb to the battlements.
- The Abbot, the children and the sentries are astonished. Some of the children run to tell the others and soon half the village is out to watch the spectacle. Patrons of the Inn of the Clowns with tankards in hand watch the wall growing before their eyes. The Baron and his daughter watch from the manor house. Griffin calmly tells them not to think too poorly of what he has built so far - he expects this take a good part of the night and they should rest. Then he continues on, extending the western wall all the way down to the shores of Lake Midai and well into the shallows. In the darkness by the lake he rests a little, watching the stars above, and then he heads back to the gatehouse to begin work on the much longer wall from the gatehouse to the east and then south to the Beaumaris River. Very few of the villagers watch him for very long - it is a spectacle but is repetitive and rather boring after a while. Even the children’s enthusiasm wanes and they head off to bed well before midnight. But it is the Abbot who surprises Griffin - he stays up to keep him company, and brings him a hot broth to keep him warm during the night. There is little conversation between them, but Griffin is grateful for the priest’s support.
- Griffin finishes the first stage of the perimeter defences well after midnight, repairing and reinforcing the gate and the gatehouse. He keeps watch with the sentries on duty for a while, and then just before first light he mounts his horse and rides out to join the Dragoons. They are encamped a few miles away in the nearby woods but Griffin finds them easily, and the force is quickly mobilised and returns to the village. The Dragoons are amazed that what was once a village with broken walls is now a fortified town. By the time Griffin returns to the village, Rook is up and inspecting what Griffin has built. There are some modifications that Rook would like to make, but he advises that they can wait. He asks Griffin to find the centaurs and see if they will join the fight. Griffin is surprised by this, but agrees when he realises that only the centaurs would be able to reach the village in time. Mounting up once more, he heads east along the Beaumaris river and then south, hoping to find the centaur village.
- For the remainder of the day, the Bloodstone villagers continue to prepare themselves and the defences. Rook takes time to discuss battle plans with his commander, and includes Olric of the Royal Dragoons in the discussions. Late in the day, Griffin contacts Rook via Icon. He explains that he has met with Kiros, the Chief of their Council of Elders and Valon, their War Chief - the centaurs will not help as currently they are not being threatened by the bandits. They are aware of the threat that the bandits pose to the communities in the valley, but would want to see some proof that the bandits can be defeated before sending any forces. Griffin gives Rook the impression that they might be willing to help, or at least send emissaries to confirm the situation in the near future, but they are not willing yet. Rook accepts this, and asks Griffin to return when he is able to.
- Rook relays this news to his fellow commanders. He is not surprised and neither are they. Rook explains that he isn’t worried about the tribute collectors - he thinks it’s very likely that they will be defeated and any who try to flee will be captured or killed. He is more concerned about what forces the enemy has at its disposal and could be committed after the first group. Baron Tranth counsels that he should worry about the first battle, and not concern himself with future battles until the first is won.
- That evening, Rook contacts Griffin again via Icon. He has become worried about his friend. Griffin says that he’s being looked after by the centaurs and he’ll ride out in the morning. Rook offers to pull him through the Icon, but Griffin refuses, saying that he doesn’t wish to leave his horse behind, nor does he wish to offend the centaurs by refusing their hospitality. Rook wishes him goodnight, but then stays up late, thinking and planning. He walks the perimeter more than once before retiring for the evening.
Part 7 - Battle Lines (Day 15)
- Early the next morning, Rook confirms that Griffin is on his way back. With two days before the tribute collectors arrive, Rook spends the day preparing his army and the role of each group. He assigns Olwen’s huntsmen to the walls. The militia under the Abbot’s command will be held in reserve in the township itself. The Baron will take 90 of the soldiers to reinforce the huntsmen on the walls on the left flank - Grant intends to station himself with the Baron. Stephan will take another 90 spearmen to reinforce the gate should it be breached. Ethan, when he returns, will command 90 of the soldiers on the eastern walls (the right flank) and Aelfwynn’s command is held in reserve as she the least experienced commander. The Royal Dragoons will return to their wooded position and be used to cut down any fleeing units - Rook does not want them to commit them to heavy fighting during this first battle.
- Griffin returns late in the day, about an hour before dusk. His horse is tired and Phillip (one of the boys) offers to feed and water him. Griffin goes to find Rook, and asks about list of modifications that he had in mind. Rook tells him to get some rest and worry about it tomorrow, but Griffin refuses to go until Rook explains further what he has in mind. Rook takes Griffin from one wall to another, showing him exactly what he wants changed. Some of the walls need to be repositioned, others changed slightly - but most of all, they need to be reinforced. Griffin admits that he didn’t strengthen the walls as far as he could have because that would make it harder to shift if changes were needed. He thanks Rook and says that he’ll go and rest, but before he leaves, Rook asks for Griffin to cast a divination spell. He wants to know whether the bandits know or not that they are doing this. Griffin casts a spell, and the blue light tells him that the bandits don’t know. Relieved, Rook asks if they are on their way. Griffin confirms that they are. Rook asks a third question, and Griffin says that they will not arrive tomorrow. Rook seems greatly relieved but still says that he will go and check after sundown.
- Griffin tiredly heads back to the Inn of the Clowns. He is just about to pull off his boots when there is a knock at his door. It is Garlen - the Baron has asked Griffin to join him for dinner. Griffin accepts. He asks for a minute and when the door is shut, he uses Eidolon to refresh himself and purge the trail-dirt once more from his clothes.
- That evening, Griffin dines with the Baron and his daughter. Griffin and the Baron talk pleasantly, although Griffin is evasive as to his heritage. The Baron is clearly impressed with what he has done so far, but Griffin responds matter-of-factly that he hasn’t finished. He explains that Rook wants him to improve some of the defences, and also reinforce the structures so that even a giant shouldn’t be able to break them. Lady Aelfwynn asks Griffin where he learned such magic, and again Griffin becomes a little evasive, explaining that he has travelled to many lands. They are clearly curious about him, but Griffin doesn’t feel like talking about himself. At last, he apologises to them both for being poor company. The Baron changes the topic and asks Griffin about Rook, and Griffin brightens a little, explaining that he has been his friend since they were children and that they enjoy travelling together. But then the Baron asks about Rook’s family and Griffin doesn’t know how to answer.
- The Baron offers a smile to fill the awkward silence, and says that Griffin has already done wondrous things, and the people of Bloodstone are in his debt. Griffin thanks the Baron for his hospitality and kind words, but he still has a great deal to do. The rest of the dinner passes uneventfully as they discuss the centaurs and the other communities in the valley.
- Returning to the Inn of the Clowns, he finds Rook waiting for him at one of the tables. Giving him a wink, Carlotta pours Griffin a mug of ale, and he settles down to talk to Rook. Rook asks if he’s okay, and Griffin tells him that he’s finding this adventure in the Legendary Realm hard. He explains that some of the people here seem to have a shared history with Prince Ethan, and it’s hard to navigate given that he doesn’t know how to answer their questions. Rook shows interest in this and wonders why no one has asked him about Prince Grant. Griffin doesn’t know, but he finds it disturbing that this realm’s Prince Ethan was here and there is this history in this place - it makes him wonder if someone is controlling the Legendary Realm or whether it creates these situations based on what it learns about the people. Rook asks him about Lady Aelfwynn - he saw that she practically swooned when Griffin arrived. Nodding, Griffin says that there is something there. He admits that she is attractive, and is probably smart and brave too but he’s still thinking about Abbie. Rook laughs and claps his shoulder. He reminds him that Abbie is seeing someone else and suggests that perhaps he should too. Griffin winces at this and says that it’s very easy to say. Rook counsels Griffin to relax. He points out that they’ve a war to fight and people will die. He says that he should worry about the big stuff, and not worry so much about the small stuff. Nodding, Griffin changes the topic and asks about the plan for tomorrow. They talk for a little while, then retire to their rooms.
Part 8 - The Day Before (Day 16)
- The next morning the troops continue to drill whilst Griffin works to improve and reinforce the defences. Rook has made future plans for pit traps to break up approaching formations and a deep ditch in front of the walls, but Griffin focusses purely on the first stage of the defences, making sure that the are ready for action on the next day.
- Taking a short break in the morning, Griffin casts a divination and confirms that the bandits will arrive tomorrow. At this news, Rook shape shifts into a sparrow and heads north to find them. The bandit force consists of two hundred orcs, armed with shields and swords, commanded by a man in dark robes on horseback. Six rock giants that appear to be made of huge boulders, each giant standing almost twenty feet tall, accompany them. Behind is a procession of fifty pack mules, attended by men who could be bandits or possibly even slaves. But Rook can see no sorcerers amongst this group.
- The giants are even bigger than Rook expected - nothing the villagers have will hurt them - so he turns around and heads back to the village to inform Griffin and the others.
- The villagers are reorganised with the able bodied men and women divided into three groups under the command of Baron Tranth (on the left flank), Lady Aelfwynn (on the right flank) and Stephan (in reserve, defending the gate in case it is breached). Rook reasons that Griffin cannot be an effective commander if he’s needed to kill giants. At this news, Griffin heads to the blacksmith and asks Olaf if he can use the forge. Stripping down, he starts reshaping a large metal plough into a maul that might serve as a weapon against the giants.
- Griffin pounds away for hours, using Eidolon and Sorcery in his weapon crafting. At last, he is satisfied that he has produced a weapon which can shatter even the stone wall that he has built. Rook approves of the massive silver-steel weapon. Griffin points out that the giants will almost certainly try to breach the gate as it is the weakest point in the defences, but Rook explains that he is expecting that - even counting on it.
- Rook asks if he too received a lunchbox from Lady Aelfwynn. Griffin is surprised and Rook explains that the lady has been organising food for him from time to time and sending it out via one of the Baron’s servants. Rook received a lunchbox today and is a little surprised that he received one but Griffin did not. Griffin shrugs good-naturedly and says that he hopes it was good.
- That evening, there is no singing and dancing at the Inn of the Clowns. Rook plays a little, but the mood in the Inn is quite and subdued. Everyone knows that the bandit army is close and that the sentries are watching for them. Rugging up, Griffin decides to join the sentries on the wall, as does Rook later in the night. Griffin casts a gentle spell over the townsfolk to relax them and help them to sleep. All is quiet - for it is the day before ….
Part 9 - The Tribute Collectors (Day 17)
- Both Rook and Griffin are on the wall, fed, rested and itching for a fight. The tribute collectors come into view and slowly approach the township. Both Rook and Griffin have no doubt that they are confused because neither Jamison nor their emissary reported walls around the village. Leaving their mule train behind, the orcs deploy in a wide front and advance, striking their swords against the rims of their shields, making a terrible racket. In front of them are two of the great rock giants, with two more on their flanks and two behind. At the head of the formation is their leader, a swarthy individual clad in dark robes the colour of dried blood.
- The Bloodstone huntsmen are ready on the walls, waiting for the command to prepare. Rook waits calmly as the enemy continues to approach. Meanwhile, on the other flank, Griffin has strapped his trusty dragon-shield to his back, and is hefting a massive maul which only he or Rook would be able to lift.
- Rook readies Gorgorin in bow-form (GM’s note - yes, it has a bow-form! It can fire normal arrows and imbue them with power, or fire fragments of itself which then need to be recovered) and considers whether it might be possible to kill the enemy commander.
- The enemy commander pulls the formation to a halt within two hundred yards of the Bloodstone walls, and calls out for the gates to be opened to allow the tribute to be collected.
- Rook judges the opportunity too good to be passed up. He quickly nocks an arrow and fires it at the enemy commander. His shot is true and the arrow flies much faster than any normal arrow. The enemy commander is struck in the chest and falls from his horse, dead.
- There is a moment of stunned silence, but then one of the giants takes the initiative, gives a great bellow and charges at the gates. The rest of the giants follow, as do the orcs.
- Rook orders the huntsmen to fire, and the bowmen loose their arrows, felling a dozen or so of the orcs with their first shots. Rook himself fires three times at the closest giant, bringing him down with Umbral-infused arrows before moving onto the next target. He wings the second giant in the leg and slowing down its charge.
- There are two giants down before the others hit the Bloodstone defences. One hits the Bloodstone gatehouse so hard that it splinters - Rook fires multiple times at it to bring it down, but it still manages to shatter the gates, creating both an opening and leaving its corpse as a mountainous obstacle for the orcs to climb over. A fourth giant smashes into the wall on Rook’s flank, knocking defenders off their feet. It begins to climb over.
- Griffin meets one of the giants face to face on the other flank. He finds it difficult to get to grips with the creature as it pummels the walls, but at last he leaps onto it, swinging his maul once with sufficient force to stagger it, and then a second blow shatters its rocky body, showering the wall with rubble. By this point, the other giant on his side has been busy ripping a huge hole in another section of the wall and he runs over to deal with it. None of the defenders are able to stop it, even though Aelfwynn and her men continue to try. Again, Griffin tries a flying leap at it, and connects with the maul, smashing a huge chunk out of its shoulder. But this time, he is unlucky and he doesn’t manage to land back on the wall - instead, he falls into the mass of orcs below.
- Rook shifts Gorgorin back into a spear-form and goes to work on the remaining giant on the left flank. Realising that it would be difficult to reach the marauding giant with a short-handled weapon, he instead uses the spear to inflict mortal wounds on it. Gorgorin easily pierces the creature’s rocky hide and the giant crashes backwards, flattening a number of orcs who were using its body as cover against the Bloodstone archers.
- Seeing that there is still one giant attacking the right wall which Griffin is supposed to be protecting, and Griffin is not on the wall, Rook crosses from one flank to the other. He ignores the orcs that are climbing over the fallen giant that is partly blocking the entrance, figuring that Stephan and his command will deal with the threat.
- Meanwhile, Griffin has found himself surrounded by orcs on the wrong side of the Bloodstone wall. He uses the maul to drive them back, but realises that it is too unwieldy against so many foes. Switching tactics, he rushes at the nearest, splattering them with the maul but then grabbing their weapons instead. The first weapons he grabs are relatively poor - the sword quickly chips and the axe blade becomes stuck in one of his opponent’s shields, leaving him only with the haft. Nevertheless, he quickly draws his rapier in one hand, grabs an axe from his opponent in the other and he continues to cut a swathe through the enemy ranks, mowing down orcs left and right. Some of them panic and break, but even these he murderously chases them down before moving onto the next available targets. Griffin has survived demon armies in the Abyss - he keeps his head, despite being surrounded and being under fire from the Bloodstone archers. Luckily none of them shoot him.
- Rook deals with the remaining giant on the right flank who crumples against the wall. He sees that Griffin is fighting on the wrong side of the defensive wall but judges that he can handle the situation. Rook directs the archers to continue to fire against the orcs and goes to see how Stephan is faring. He finds that Stephan’s position is solid. He has blocked the orcs from entering the village and some of the enemy are beginning to retreat. Stephan’s group has had their first victory.
- The sounds of battle quickly die down, with only Griffin still fighting the orcs that have fled out of range. He singlehandedly pursues and slaughters the remaining orcs who sought to flee. Their broken bodies are left strewn over the battlefield.
- Rook leads a group down from the walls to survey the carnage, and finish off any enemy wounded. The battle has only taken twenty minutes, but there are hundreds of dead and broken bodies. Rook orders that any armour, weapons and metal should be stripped from the body, as should any valuable or useful items. The villagers are then instructed to pile up the bodies.
- Griffin reaches the pack mules. He is covered in blood - both red and black. The poor animal handlers beg for mercy and Griffin directs them to the town, telling them to take the animals with them. He isn’t sure whether they are bandits or captured peasants, but he expects the others will be able to tell.
- There is a lot of work to be done for the remainder of the day. Miraculously none of the villagers have been badly injured - only some bumps and bruises. The villagers spend some time collecting useful items from the fallen. When the bodies are piled up, Griffin organises their disposal by digging a pit using Sorcery which then consumes them. Then there are the walls to repair (harvesting the bodies of the rock giants as raw materials) and the wooden gate to be restored.
- All of the villagers are excited and enthusiastic about their first victory. Even the Royal Dragoons are called in to join in the celebrations even though they took no direct role in this opening battle. Both Baron Tranth and Rook give speeches to the people praising their valour and congratulating them on their victory. Rook explains that the bandits will not know what has happened if no one from their force returns. When someone asks what the bandits will do next, Rook explains that the bandits sent six rock giants which should be easy for him to track back to their basecamp - he promises to find out more and prepare the village for any future attack.
- Stephan contributes barrels of ale to celebrate their victory, and Rook plays a merry tune on his cittern which many dance to. After Griffin has cleaned himself in the lake waters, he joins in the festivities too. He sustained a few light wounds but he quickly heals them with Eidolon. The Abbot makes a point of pouring Griffin a mug of ale, and then goes to find Rook to offer him the same. As Griffin relaxes, he is interrupted by Lady Aelfwynn who also praises him as ‘magnificent’. Astonished, Griffin thanks her, puts down his drink and asks if she wants to dance. She refuses politely and withdraws.
- A bit of a long writeup as we ended up having a long session to make up for the preceding short one.
Part 1 - Troubles in Bloodstone Pass (Day 11)
- The next morning, Rook rises early whilst Raquel and Carlotta are still sleeping, and he takes to the air in sparrow-form to see if anything is approaching. He reasons that if there still a spy within the village, the bandits will be on their way now that the harvest is finished. Despite searching for more than hour (at Engine Speed), he finds no sign that the Enemy is nearby.
- Returning to Bloodstone, Rook contacts Griffin via Icon and finds that the Dragoons are already on the move. Griffin says that he’s not sure if they will reach the village by nightfall and Rook suggests that if they cannot arrive before mid-afternoon, they should camp a few hours ride away and then approach on the next day. Griffin agrees to this. Rook asks if Griffin can tell whether the Enemy is coming or not, and Griffin promises to do a divination before the next time they speak.
- Now that the harvest is completed, all of the villagers are concentrating on preparing for war. Olwen remains in command of the 160 archers who are normally the villager’s huntsmen and foragers. The 360 able bodied men and women who are armed with sword and spear have been divided into four groups under the command of Rook, Stephan (the Innkeeper who has previous battle experience) and Baron Tranth, but Rook has decided that he needs a fourth commander. For some time he thought that Griffin would command the fourth group, but he comes to the conclusion that he needs someone else. It cannot be Aldric (the Abbot) who is commanding the Militia, and the 480 older men, women and children of that group are being held in reserve and will (hopefully) not see combat. Quillan appears capable, and he is both Baron Tranth’s advisor and Lady Aelfwynn’s mentor, but he is deemed too old to command troops effectively.
- Rook spends some time with Quillan understanding more about the ‘old magic’ that he wields (and has taught to Aelfwynn). It sounds like it is nature magic and not very useful in combat, but he keeps it in mind anyway.
- At last he speaks to Lady Aelfwynn. She is no helpless damsel and she seems to know how to use a sword. Rook puts her to the test, suggesting that they spar. He easily bests her, and she is offended by the exchange - but Rook decides based on the conversation that she is the fourth commander that he needs. Rook puts his recommendation to Baron Tranth and he reluctantly agrees. He knows that his daughter will be worthy of command, but he did not wish to put her in danger. The Baron asks Rook to look after Lady Aelfwynn if things go badly in the battles ahead, and Rook agrees to this.
- Meanwhile, the Dragoons make their way into Bloodstone Pass. After a few hours they stop at a mountain stream to allow the horses to drink and the riders to rest, and Griffin goes for a walk to stretch his legs. To his surprise, he finds a centaur named Vikos who has been trapped by a fallen tree for two days. Faint with hunger and pinned with a badly broken leg, Vikos had almost given up of being found. Griffin heals his injury (a miracle!) and offers to introduce him to the others. Vikos is very shy about meeting other humans and refuses. He describes himself as a historian, and asks Griffin his name so that he can record their meeting. Griffin obliges and explains their mission to defend the village of Bloodstone. Vikos is intensely interested by this, and clearly wishes to visit the human village so that he can observe and record the events. Griffin welcomes this and they part on friendly terms.
- In the early afternoon, another falcon arrives in the village and Rook is able to retrieve the message. The Bandit emissary is on his way, and Jamison is instructed to report any unusual activity immediately. Rook thinks the situation over. He then contacts Griffin via Icon. Griffin has performed a minor divination - he doesn’t believe that the bandits are on their way yet in force, but the divination is hardly conclusive given that he is not in the village itself. They talk about the next steps, and it is agreed that no falcon will be sent back to the bandits, even though Rook is sorely tempted to release one and then follow it back to the bandit encampment. He decides not to risk tipping the bandits off as to their capabilities. They also decide that the Dragoons should enter the town briefly (to build morale) but not to stay lest the Bandit emissary see them.
- The Dragoons ride on, reaching the outlying farms. The village is not far now. However, one of the farms attracts Griffin’s attention - there is smoke pluming from a crude chimney. Griffin goes to investigate this, wondering why any of the farms would still be inhabited, and finds a group of grey-skinned orcs have taken up residence in the farmstead, holding three farmers hostage - an older man and two young daughters. Rather than bring in the Dragoons, Griffin continues to use a mental invisibility spell to hide himself from the orcs. He appraises the situation, and then uses a powerful sleep spell to knock them all out. Once they are all asleep, it becomes an easy matter to rescue the farmers and dispose of the orcs.
- The Dragoons halt within sight of Bloodstone village. Their morale is high and the men look forward to reaching the village tomorrow. Griffin hears more whispers from them about their suspicion as to who he is. Some of them have called him “Prince Ethan”, judging him to be a Caladorian based on his red hair (which is uncommon). Griffin finds this intriguing but does not confirm their suspicions. Instead he thinks of Abbie and wonders how she is.
- Lady Aelfwynn seeks out Rook to thank him for his confidence. She promises that she will be an effective commander, and Rook advises her to take command tomorrow so that she can get to know them, and they know her. Aelfwynn seems keen to prove herself in battle, and Rook promises that she will get her opportunity to fight.
- That night, there is a big party at the Inn of the Clowns. Rook plays music for the townsfolk to encourage them - he does not tell them that he knows that the emissary is on his way, but he assumes that the emissary will take at least a day to reach the village. That evening he heads out on another reconnaissance and finds that there is no emissary within forty miles to the north - he surmises that the emissary will not arrive tomorrow. He finds Olric’s Dragoons but decides not to spook them by arriving unannounced. He returns to the village and finds Abbott Aldric on another late-night stroll. Rook decides to check the walls (which have not yet been reinforced) and then he contacts Griffin again. Griffin performs another divination and tells him that the Emissary won’t arrive on the next day.
Part 2 - The Dragoons Arrive (Day 12)
- Within two hours of sun-up, the Royal Dragoons arrive in the village of Bloodstone. The sentries alert the villagers which create some small amount of tension, but Rook welcomes Griffin, Olric and the cavalry force into the village where they are warmly welcomed by Baron Tranth, Abbot Aldric, Lady Aelfwynn and the local people. The people are cheering - Griffin can see their spirits brighten. The Dragoons are also happy to have arrived at their destination - Benjamin and Anna have prepared over three hundred pies and pasties for the group.
- Griffin and Rook greet each other heartily. Griffin is eager to look at the village and its defences, but Rook is thinking that the Royal Dragoons cannot linger here for long lest the Bandit emissary notice something upon his inspection. Rook confides with Baron Tranth and he agrees to speak with the Dragoons commanders. Griffin, Olric and two of Olric’s lieutenants are introduced to the Baron, Abbot Aldric, Lady Aelfwynn, Stephan and Quillan. The Baron personally thanks each of them, but Griffin gets some uncomfortable looks. The Baron clearly knows this realm’s Ethan and he is unsettled by his arrival. Lady Aelfwynn is also visibly affected and needs to withdraw to compose herself. Abbot Aldric merely coldly stares at Griffin. Even Quillan gives him a long searching look, and. Griffin does his best to ignore their reactions and behave normally, though he is a little curious as to what this realm’s Ethan has done to make them so nervous. He guesses that Aelfwynn and this realm’s Ethan had some sort of relationship, but she thought him gone - but clearly some of the others did not approve.
- Rook asks for the Royal Dragoons to collect provisions from the baker and then withdraw to the nearby woods which should hide and shelter them - he has already worked out the best location, and offers to send Olwyn and another huntsman with them. Rook suggests that their commander Olric remain to become more familiar with the village, but Olric proudly refuses, saying that he will stay with his men. Rook smiles - he was warned that Olric looks just like his old geography teacher, Mister Elwood and this man is just as stubborn. Referring to Griffin as “My Lord”, Olric says that the Dragoons will do as ordered, and remain in the woods until called for. Griffin thanks him, and says to Rook that he will go with them too. Rook is a little surprised at this, but says that he is required here. He says it with just enough authority that it makes it clear to all that Rook is in command here and has authority. Griffin accepts the situation.
- At this, Rook asks his three commanders to organise the villagers, tell them that the Dragoons will be moving out because the bandit emissary is on his way, and they will return when the emissary has left. He also asks the commanders to halt training before the sun reaches its zenith (i.e.: before midday) and then everyone is to rest and ‘go back to normal’ until the emissary has visited and left.
- The Bloodstone villagers commence their drills and preparations. Olric advises his men that they are moving out, and they leave quickly before any of the men become too comfortable (though with the provisions supplied by the villagers). Rook appraises the situation and decides that the transition has been handled satisfactorily - he gave the villagers no chance to chatter amongst themselves, forced them to remain organised and focussed on the task at hand. He knows that the Dragoons also saw this and it should lift their spirits to see that the villagers are not so helpless as some might have feared.
- While the people of Bloodstone drill, Rook takes Griffin around the village, explaining the natural defences and the defences that will need to be built, the ways in which the village could be attacked, and the weaknesses that Rook sees. None of the broken walls have been repaired. Rook explains that the emissary is likely to be an observant man or woman so he has focussed mainly on preparing the people so that they can defend themselves now, but also in the future.
- While Rook and Griffin talk about the situation, the four children who have become Rook’s frequent companions come to see him. The older children, Jack and Philip, ask questions about Griffin and where he has come from. They ask if he is a ‘Caladorian’, and Griffin asks what makes them ask. Philip sagely says that everyone knows that the Caladorians have red hair. Griffin laughs and says that he must be Caladorian then. The children are smart though and recognise that Griffin didn’t answer the question. Changing the topic, Griffin shows them some of his favourite magic, using small objects to create a planetary system. The kids watch, bemused, but are not particularly impressed. They ask to see some ‘real magic’, which makes Rook chuckle as Griffin squirms. Taking a deep breath, he says that he’ll show them some real magic when the emissary leaves. They don’t seem very satisfied by this, but Rook counsels them that Griffin’s magic is extremely powerful, but they’ll just have to wait to see it for themselves.
Part 3 - The Abbot’s Counsel (Day 12)
- Griffin spends some time assessing the situation in the village. The majority of the villagers don’t react to him apart from noting that he has red hair, but he makes an effort to visit Abbot Aldric in his church in order to find out what is going on. The Abbot seems surprised to see him, and asks what he can do for ‘Your Highness’. Griffin is a little taken aback by this - he didn’t expect to be recognised here as one of the Lost Princes. Speaking carefully, Griffin asks if the Abbot believes him to be Prince Ethan of Calador. The Abbot nods and says that he is sure. Griffin then asks if Grant told him that his name was Ethan. The Abbot’s jaw drops as he realises that Rook is Prince Grant, and Ethan realises the stupidity of his question - he has just blown Rook’s cover identity.
- The Abbot is astonished that Rook could be Prince Grant as Prince Grant is physically much bigger than Rook appears. No one who knew Prince Grant could possibly guess Rook’s identity. Griffin asks him to keep it a secret, and the Abbot agrees. Abbot asks again what he can do for ‘the Prince of Calador’, and Griffin explains simply that he’s here to destroy the bandits and make sure that they never threaten Bloodstone ever again. However, he wasn’t expecting to be known in this place. Griffin admits that he has no memories of being here before, and he wants to know what he has done in this place. The Abbot is skeptical, but he agrees to tell Griffin about Prince Ethan.
- Over a goblet of wine, the Abbot tells Griffin that a young Prince Ethan was brought here for his own protection for two years - he was only a boy then. Then he was sent south to Damara to the court of King Virdin, partly for his education and partly for protection. Calador was always a dangerous place, and the King wanted Ethan to learn from the Damarans. The Abbot speculates that perhaps the King event wanted Prince Ethan to one day marry a Damaran Princess and seal an alliance. The Abbot doesn’t know much about Prince Ethan’s time in Damara - but he returned years later to Bloodstone Pass to visit Baron Tranth and his daughter. The Abbot asks about whether Griffin knows anything of Lady Aelfwynn. Griffin shakes his head. The Abbot ponders how to tell him, and takes another swig of wine. He says that he doesn’t know for sure, but always thought that Prince Ethan was in love the Baron’s daughter and she loved him. But, he adds, that in itself is a tragedy in itself - because Calador is no more. Griffin thinks on this - he understands the Abbot’s point - if there is no Kingdom, then the Ethan of this world has no title, no lands and no riches. The Baron’s daughter would be above ‘Prince’ Ethan’s station. This world’s Ethan could easily be an adventurer or even part of the bandit army, trying to build up some sort of wealth or dominion.
- Griffin thanks the Abbot for sharing what he knows, and then he turns his conversation to the villagers and the village itself. The Abbot knows these people well - what do they lack that they do not have. They talk about faith and courage, and Griffins listens intently to the Abbot’s answers.
- Griffin loses track of time. It is Rook who interrupts him after almost two hours, and Griffin politely excuses himself. Away from the church, Rook asks Griffin’s opinion of the Abbot. Griffin says that Rook seems to have impressed him.
Part 4 - A Bed For the Night (Day 12)
- Rook takes Griffin over to the Inn of the Clowns where he is welcomed by Stephan, Carlotta and Raquel. Carlotta gives Griffin a smile that he likes and he decides that this is definitely a good place to stay. He is given a room, and a chance to take a bath and shave (he’s been on the road for a week). With the trail dirt washed from his hair and clothes, his hair is an even more noticeable red than it was before.
- Garlen and Garvin, dressed formally, are waiting for Griffin when he has finished dressing. They explain that Baron Tranth wishes to speak with him. Griffin accepts, but explains that his clothes are wet (he used the bathtub to wash them) and it will take him a few minutes. Stepping back into his room, he uses a mix of Eidolon and Sorcery to ‘purify’ and then fast-dry the clothes so that they can be worn. Slinging his dragon shield over his back, and strapping his rapier onto his belt, he steps back into the Inn’s common room with clothes as clean as if they were new. Garlen and Garvin seem pleased with his good standard of dress and escort him over to the baronial manor.
- Baron Tranth is in his sitting room. Quillan stands nearby, watching as Griffin enters the room. Dismissing the Pages, the Baron qualifies that his name is “Griffin”, which Ethan confirms. He asks Griffin why he has come to Bloodstone Pass, and Griffin explains that he’s here to stop the bandits such that they never threaten the Baron’s dominion ever again. Narrowing his eyes, the Baron says that the barony is poor, which is why Garlen and Garvin only offered five silver pieces per day - he explains that they could afford little more. Griffin interjects and says that he has no interest in money or riches, which makes the Baron laugh - he says that Griffin would be the first person he’s ever met who has no such interest. Griffin definitely gets the impression that the Baron doesn’t like or trust him. He’s effectively calling Griffin a liar without actually saying it.
- As Griffin thinks about what to say to this, the Baron acknowledges that Rook has spoken very highly of him and Rook has proven that he is a capable warrior and general. The Baron says that he is very grateful that they have both come to Bloodstone to aid them when their need is great. He offers him a bed within his house, as he offered to Rook. Griffin thanks him for it but says that he would prefer to stay at the Inn.
- The Baron seems relieved by Griffin’s decision. He asks what Griffin will do when the battles are done and the war is over. Griffin is a little surprised by the question, but he instantly senses that the Baron is testing him. Nevertheless, he finds the question difficult to answer. He instinctively thinks of Abbie, but feels that there is no point going home if she is with someone else. Griffin says that he doesn’t know - he hasn’t thought that far ahead.
- The Baron asks Griffin about what he thinks of their situation, and Griffin immediately says that they seem well prepared. Tranth chuckles and notes that Rook believes that Griffin can raise walls around the village so as to make it impregnable, even to giants. Griffin smiles as he realises what is behind the statement and why the Baron wanted to meet him. If the Baron knew this realm’s Ethan, then the tone of his voice implies that he doesn’t believe that Griffin can do as he claims. Griffin clears his throat, and explains that should not attempt any such radical magic until after the bandit emissary has left. Even raising one wall would be easily visible. The Baron lowers his gaze and says candidly that the people of Bloodstone have to believe that Griffin can do what Rook says he can do, for they have little choice otherwise. But he hopes that Rook has not been deceived.
- Griffin frowns and thinks. He explains that if he builds anything here, an observant emissary would spot it. He suggests destroying the oaken chair that the Baron is sitting on and rebuilding it, to which Quillan says that most sorcerers are capable repairing things that are broken. Griffin concludes that he needs to build something, just not inside the village itself. He can’t just summon up a storm or summon a waterspout because for all he knows, the emissary is only ten miles away and could see it. At last he has a viable idea. He explains that two days ago they camped in the woods about thirty miles from Bloodstone Pass. He offers to transport them there and show them what he can do.
- Quillan is not sure what to make of the offer, but the Baron cautiously agrees to this after notifying of his house guards that they will be ‘stepping out’. Griffin makes good on his promise, teleporting himself, Quillan and Baron Tranth to a rocky trail with low shrubs. The sun is low, but it is not yet set. Griffin smiles, and sets to work. Normally a teleport would be taxing for him, but he is much more powerful in the Legendary Realm. Using the rock materials on the slope, Griffin reshapes the land, building a forty-foot section of wall eight feet high within a matter of minutes. He then start extending the wall, and building a ditch, pushing the wall section even higher. Quillan is impressed. Tranth’s face has paled with shock. Seeing their reaction, Griffin stops and lets them approach to test that it is not simply an illusion. The Baron is quickly convinced and says that he has never seen anything like it.
- Quillan remarks softly that the Witch King of the north was said to have raised his fortress from the frozen lands in a single day. Griffin thinks on this, and says that he’s never tried to build a whole fortress, but he could certainly build walls around a village, and he intends to. Quillan and Tranth exchange glances. The Baron asks that Griffin return them to Bloodstone, and Griffin agrees to, but first he uses Sorcery to blow huge sections in the wall. The demonstration of raw destructive power and the ease at which Griffin deals it out shocks them even more than the construction.
- Whitefaced, Quillan and Baron Tranth are returned to Bloodstone. At last, Baron says that he believes Griffin. Griffin smiles at this, and asks if there is anything else. Baron Tranth thanks him and says that he can go.
(GM’s note - what wasn’t said in this meeting is that Quillan and Baron Tranth know that Prince Ethan disappeared at about the same time that the Witch King rose in the north. The idea has occurred to them that Griffin could actually be the Witch King somehow without his memories. Hence they are now petrified of him. Yes this is Ethan’s Bad Stuff working overtime.)
- Back at the Inn of the Clowns, Griffin tells Rook about his conversation with the Baron but doesn’t tell him how he convinced the Baron of his ability to defend the village. They talk for a long time about the village and the people in it. Rook confesses privately that he’s seeing both Carlotta and Raquel which makes Griffin quite envious and Rook laughs. In the evening, Rook plays for the crowd and Griffin takes advantage of the music and decides to dance with Carlotta which she seems to enjoy.
- Rook doesn’t get too carried away however. He decides to head out once more in sparrow-form to see if he can find the emissary on the road north. Sure enough, he finds a single traveller on the road who has camped for the night. He decides not to disturb him, and he returns to the village without incident.
Part 5 - The Emissary Arrives (Day 13)
- The next morning is foggy and cold, but Rook and Griffin both rise early and make sure that there is nothing in the village that is likely to attract undue interest from the emissary. They talk over an early breakfast about what will happen if the emissary notices something, and Griffin says that he could change the man’s (or woman’s) memories but there is no guarantee that such meddling would be undetected. “This is the Legendary Realm,” he points out. They both know that they have not yet run into powerful adversaries here, but they will most certainly exist. They agree not to touch the emissary unless absolutely necessary.
- They also discuss tracking the emissary back to the bandit encampment - Grant is keen to do so, but using Wayfinding (which does not work long-range in this place). Griffin counsels against placing any sort of sorcerous ‘marker’ on the emissary lest it be discovered. They also agree not to use Icons unless absolutely necessary.
- Before the fog lifts, the two friends take their positions. Rook has taken the form of a common sparrow, and will follow the emissary at a distance where it is possible to do so. Griffin decides to wait in Jamison’s shop, and uses mental invisibility to mask himself. He wants to know if the emissary will attempt to meet Jamison in person (which of course is impossible given that Jamison has been unmasked and is dead).
- They lie in wait for almost four hours before the emissary rides into town. Arriving a little after 10am, the bandit emissary arrives on a black horse, and begins to look around. The emissary himself is a dark-skinned man, powerfully built, wearing drab clothes, a turban on his head and carrying a curved sword at his side. The man greets Garlen and Garvin pleasantly, notes that they’ve grown and asks that the Baron be notified of his arrival. Whilst Garvin scrambles off, the man asks to be taken to the granary as the first step in his inspection.
- The emissary takes more than four hours looking over the village - counting livestock, inspecting the granary, looking over the walls, admiring Benjamin’s pasties, inspecting the food reserves and logbooks at the Inn of the Clowns, and then reviewing the Baron’s own kitchens and stores. He does not directly enter Jamison’s house, but Griffin notes that the emissary has a strong mind and he decides to remain hidden. During this tour, Rook covertly follows the emissary.
- At lunchtime, the emissary takes over Quillan’s desk, takes out a fresh sheet of parchment and begins to make notes of all that he has seen, and then begins to do some sums. Given that he is working indoors and a sparrow-form would be suspicious, Rook shifts form into a cockroach and then he is able to move about undetected.
- In the late afternoon, the emissary presents his position to the Baron. The ‘Grandfather’ will take two thirds of the grain stores, almost half the livestock and a quota of young men and women. The Baron is uncomfortable with such a request, but instead asks when the ‘collection’ would be due. The emissary says that an army will be sent to collect it in four days (GM’s note - Day 17). The Baron hesitates (playing the part) and the emissary reminds him that any dissent will not be looked kindly upon. He points out that the Grandfather could choose to take the Baron’s daughter if it pleased him, or the lady could remain in the village if the Baron agrees to his terms.
- The Baron nods curtly, and the emissary is pleased. The emissary asks about strangers in the village, and the Baron says that they had tried to find someone to help them, but he says bitterly that that the man fled when he saw just how poor they were. The emissary thanks Baron Tranth for telling him the truth (even though he hasn’t actually done so), but says that the Grandfather may not be so forgiving of his conduct. On that ominous note, the emissary decides that their business is concluded and he decides to leave.
- On the way out, the emissary catches a glimpse of Lady Aelfwynn and goes out of his way to meet her. He kisses her hand and tells his father that she is even more beautiful than the last time that he saw her. The Baron understands the implicit threat. At last the emissary mounts his horse and rides away to the north.
- Rook considers following him but decides to check on Griffin first. He contacts him via Icon and Griffin warns him that the emissary did not come alone. He can sense another presence in the sky above, but whatever it is appears to be concealed by the same sort of magic that he uses. He advises Rook to wait until the other observer leaves.
- At last Griffin is convinced that the other observer has gone and he makes his way over to the Baron’s manor house to talk with Rook. They discuss what happened, and decide that it is too dangerous to track the emissary back to the bandits at this time. Neither of them expected the emissary to have some sort of invisible bodyguard, and they cannot run the risk of tipping the bandits off at this point in time. They find it interesting that the bandits will come in only four days - it suggests to them that their encampment cannot be any more than two, possibly two and half days away.
- The Baron and Lady Aelfwynn joins the discussion, and he expresses how difficult that conversation was for him. Rook thanks the Baron, and tells Griffin that he’ll need to start working on the defences. Griffin nods and says that he’ll start in the evening. He thinks it will take him a good portion of the night, but the first level will be done by morning. Griffin finds that Lady Aelfwynn is staring at him. It makes him uncomfortable and he decides to stay away from her.
Part 6 - Fortifications (Day 13-14)
- Rook and Griffin walk the perimeter before the sun sets and Rook clarifies what he is expecting so that Griffin doesn’t build in the wrong place. Rook has multiple stages of defences in mind, but he asks Griffin to build only the first stage. They figure that if the defences are too complete, the bandits won’t attack which will be a different problem. The four kids follow Rook and Griffin around, excited because they know that something is going to happen. In passing the sentries on the broken northern gate, Rook explains that Griffin will be working this evening. Griffin promises ‘a sight to behold’.
- At last Rook goes back to the comfort of the Inn, and Griffin sits on the broken wall, thinking where to start. He asks Jack (one of the older boys) to fetch the Abbot for him, which he duly does. The Abbot is a little irritable at being summoned in this way, so he wants to know what the problem is. Griffin apologises and explains that he’s going to start building the wall - he figured that the Abbot would want to see. The portly churchman frowns and points out that he has no shovel or any other equipment. Griffin smiles at this.
- With that, Griffin begins repairing the wall using Eidolon, and then raising the structure using Sorcery. Within minutes, the walls are being shaped upwards, becoming ten foot structures of earth and stone, topped by a five foot deep crenellated parapet. The walls are suitable for archers to use as firing positions. As he moves around the perimeter, the wall rises, forming new sections consistent with the first. Griffin adds stairs and hand-holds on the village side to enable the villagers to climb to the battlements.
- The Abbot, the children and the sentries are astonished. Some of the children run to tell the others and soon half the village is out to watch the spectacle. Patrons of the Inn of the Clowns with tankards in hand watch the wall growing before their eyes. The Baron and his daughter watch from the manor house. Griffin calmly tells them not to think too poorly of what he has built so far - he expects this take a good part of the night and they should rest. Then he continues on, extending the western wall all the way down to the shores of Lake Midai and well into the shallows. In the darkness by the lake he rests a little, watching the stars above, and then he heads back to the gatehouse to begin work on the much longer wall from the gatehouse to the east and then south to the Beaumaris River. Very few of the villagers watch him for very long - it is a spectacle but is repetitive and rather boring after a while. Even the children’s enthusiasm wanes and they head off to bed well before midnight. But it is the Abbot who surprises Griffin - he stays up to keep him company, and brings him a hot broth to keep him warm during the night. There is little conversation between them, but Griffin is grateful for the priest’s support.
- Griffin finishes the first stage of the perimeter defences well after midnight, repairing and reinforcing the gate and the gatehouse. He keeps watch with the sentries on duty for a while, and then just before first light he mounts his horse and rides out to join the Dragoons. They are encamped a few miles away in the nearby woods but Griffin finds them easily, and the force is quickly mobilised and returns to the village. The Dragoons are amazed that what was once a village with broken walls is now a fortified town. By the time Griffin returns to the village, Rook is up and inspecting what Griffin has built. There are some modifications that Rook would like to make, but he advises that they can wait. He asks Griffin to find the centaurs and see if they will join the fight. Griffin is surprised by this, but agrees when he realises that only the centaurs would be able to reach the village in time. Mounting up once more, he heads east along the Beaumaris river and then south, hoping to find the centaur village.
- For the remainder of the day, the Bloodstone villagers continue to prepare themselves and the defences. Rook takes time to discuss battle plans with his commander, and includes Olric of the Royal Dragoons in the discussions. Late in the day, Griffin contacts Rook via Icon. He explains that he has met with Kiros, the Chief of their Council of Elders and Valon, their War Chief - the centaurs will not help as currently they are not being threatened by the bandits. They are aware of the threat that the bandits pose to the communities in the valley, but would want to see some proof that the bandits can be defeated before sending any forces. Griffin gives Rook the impression that they might be willing to help, or at least send emissaries to confirm the situation in the near future, but they are not willing yet. Rook accepts this, and asks Griffin to return when he is able to.
- Rook relays this news to his fellow commanders. He is not surprised and neither are they. Rook explains that he isn’t worried about the tribute collectors - he thinks it’s very likely that they will be defeated and any who try to flee will be captured or killed. He is more concerned about what forces the enemy has at its disposal and could be committed after the first group. Baron Tranth counsels that he should worry about the first battle, and not concern himself with future battles until the first is won.
- That evening, Rook contacts Griffin again via Icon. He has become worried about his friend. Griffin says that he’s being looked after by the centaurs and he’ll ride out in the morning. Rook offers to pull him through the Icon, but Griffin refuses, saying that he doesn’t wish to leave his horse behind, nor does he wish to offend the centaurs by refusing their hospitality. Rook wishes him goodnight, but then stays up late, thinking and planning. He walks the perimeter more than once before retiring for the evening.
Part 7 - Battle Lines (Day 15)
- Early the next morning, Rook confirms that Griffin is on his way back. With two days before the tribute collectors arrive, Rook spends the day preparing his army and the role of each group. He assigns Olwen’s huntsmen to the walls. The militia under the Abbot’s command will be held in reserve in the township itself. The Baron will take 90 of the soldiers to reinforce the huntsmen on the walls on the left flank - Grant intends to station himself with the Baron. Stephan will take another 90 spearmen to reinforce the gate should it be breached. Ethan, when he returns, will command 90 of the soldiers on the eastern walls (the right flank) and Aelfwynn’s command is held in reserve as she the least experienced commander. The Royal Dragoons will return to their wooded position and be used to cut down any fleeing units - Rook does not want them to commit them to heavy fighting during this first battle.
- Griffin returns late in the day, about an hour before dusk. His horse is tired and Phillip (one of the boys) offers to feed and water him. Griffin goes to find Rook, and asks about list of modifications that he had in mind. Rook tells him to get some rest and worry about it tomorrow, but Griffin refuses to go until Rook explains further what he has in mind. Rook takes Griffin from one wall to another, showing him exactly what he wants changed. Some of the walls need to be repositioned, others changed slightly - but most of all, they need to be reinforced. Griffin admits that he didn’t strengthen the walls as far as he could have because that would make it harder to shift if changes were needed. He thanks Rook and says that he’ll go and rest, but before he leaves, Rook asks for Griffin to cast a divination spell. He wants to know whether the bandits know or not that they are doing this. Griffin casts a spell, and the blue light tells him that the bandits don’t know. Relieved, Rook asks if they are on their way. Griffin confirms that they are. Rook asks a third question, and Griffin says that they will not arrive tomorrow. Rook seems greatly relieved but still says that he will go and check after sundown.
- Griffin tiredly heads back to the Inn of the Clowns. He is just about to pull off his boots when there is a knock at his door. It is Garlen - the Baron has asked Griffin to join him for dinner. Griffin accepts. He asks for a minute and when the door is shut, he uses Eidolon to refresh himself and purge the trail-dirt once more from his clothes.
- That evening, Griffin dines with the Baron and his daughter. Griffin and the Baron talk pleasantly, although Griffin is evasive as to his heritage. The Baron is clearly impressed with what he has done so far, but Griffin responds matter-of-factly that he hasn’t finished. He explains that Rook wants him to improve some of the defences, and also reinforce the structures so that even a giant shouldn’t be able to break them. Lady Aelfwynn asks Griffin where he learned such magic, and again Griffin becomes a little evasive, explaining that he has travelled to many lands. They are clearly curious about him, but Griffin doesn’t feel like talking about himself. At last, he apologises to them both for being poor company. The Baron changes the topic and asks Griffin about Rook, and Griffin brightens a little, explaining that he has been his friend since they were children and that they enjoy travelling together. But then the Baron asks about Rook’s family and Griffin doesn’t know how to answer.
- The Baron offers a smile to fill the awkward silence, and says that Griffin has already done wondrous things, and the people of Bloodstone are in his debt. Griffin thanks the Baron for his hospitality and kind words, but he still has a great deal to do. The rest of the dinner passes uneventfully as they discuss the centaurs and the other communities in the valley.
- Returning to the Inn of the Clowns, he finds Rook waiting for him at one of the tables. Giving him a wink, Carlotta pours Griffin a mug of ale, and he settles down to talk to Rook. Rook asks if he’s okay, and Griffin tells him that he’s finding this adventure in the Legendary Realm hard. He explains that some of the people here seem to have a shared history with Prince Ethan, and it’s hard to navigate given that he doesn’t know how to answer their questions. Rook shows interest in this and wonders why no one has asked him about Prince Grant. Griffin doesn’t know, but he finds it disturbing that this realm’s Prince Ethan was here and there is this history in this place - it makes him wonder if someone is controlling the Legendary Realm or whether it creates these situations based on what it learns about the people. Rook asks him about Lady Aelfwynn - he saw that she practically swooned when Griffin arrived. Nodding, Griffin says that there is something there. He admits that she is attractive, and is probably smart and brave too but he’s still thinking about Abbie. Rook laughs and claps his shoulder. He reminds him that Abbie is seeing someone else and suggests that perhaps he should too. Griffin winces at this and says that it’s very easy to say. Rook counsels Griffin to relax. He points out that they’ve a war to fight and people will die. He says that he should worry about the big stuff, and not worry so much about the small stuff. Nodding, Griffin changes the topic and asks about the plan for tomorrow. They talk for a little while, then retire to their rooms.
Part 8 - The Day Before (Day 16)
- The next morning the troops continue to drill whilst Griffin works to improve and reinforce the defences. Rook has made future plans for pit traps to break up approaching formations and a deep ditch in front of the walls, but Griffin focusses purely on the first stage of the defences, making sure that the are ready for action on the next day.
- Taking a short break in the morning, Griffin casts a divination and confirms that the bandits will arrive tomorrow. At this news, Rook shape shifts into a sparrow and heads north to find them. The bandit force consists of two hundred orcs, armed with shields and swords, commanded by a man in dark robes on horseback. Six rock giants that appear to be made of huge boulders, each giant standing almost twenty feet tall, accompany them. Behind is a procession of fifty pack mules, attended by men who could be bandits or possibly even slaves. But Rook can see no sorcerers amongst this group.
- The giants are even bigger than Rook expected - nothing the villagers have will hurt them - so he turns around and heads back to the village to inform Griffin and the others.
- The villagers are reorganised with the able bodied men and women divided into three groups under the command of Baron Tranth (on the left flank), Lady Aelfwynn (on the right flank) and Stephan (in reserve, defending the gate in case it is breached). Rook reasons that Griffin cannot be an effective commander if he’s needed to kill giants. At this news, Griffin heads to the blacksmith and asks Olaf if he can use the forge. Stripping down, he starts reshaping a large metal plough into a maul that might serve as a weapon against the giants.
- Griffin pounds away for hours, using Eidolon and Sorcery in his weapon crafting. At last, he is satisfied that he has produced a weapon which can shatter even the stone wall that he has built. Rook approves of the massive silver-steel weapon. Griffin points out that the giants will almost certainly try to breach the gate as it is the weakest point in the defences, but Rook explains that he is expecting that - even counting on it.
- Rook asks if he too received a lunchbox from Lady Aelfwynn. Griffin is surprised and Rook explains that the lady has been organising food for him from time to time and sending it out via one of the Baron’s servants. Rook received a lunchbox today and is a little surprised that he received one but Griffin did not. Griffin shrugs good-naturedly and says that he hopes it was good.
- That evening, there is no singing and dancing at the Inn of the Clowns. Rook plays a little, but the mood in the Inn is quite and subdued. Everyone knows that the bandit army is close and that the sentries are watching for them. Rugging up, Griffin decides to join the sentries on the wall, as does Rook later in the night. Griffin casts a gentle spell over the townsfolk to relax them and help them to sleep. All is quiet - for it is the day before ….
Part 9 - The Tribute Collectors (Day 17)
- Both Rook and Griffin are on the wall, fed, rested and itching for a fight. The tribute collectors come into view and slowly approach the township. Both Rook and Griffin have no doubt that they are confused because neither Jamison nor their emissary reported walls around the village. Leaving their mule train behind, the orcs deploy in a wide front and advance, striking their swords against the rims of their shields, making a terrible racket. In front of them are two of the great rock giants, with two more on their flanks and two behind. At the head of the formation is their leader, a swarthy individual clad in dark robes the colour of dried blood.
- The Bloodstone huntsmen are ready on the walls, waiting for the command to prepare. Rook waits calmly as the enemy continues to approach. Meanwhile, on the other flank, Griffin has strapped his trusty dragon-shield to his back, and is hefting a massive maul which only he or Rook would be able to lift.
- Rook readies Gorgorin in bow-form (GM’s note - yes, it has a bow-form! It can fire normal arrows and imbue them with power, or fire fragments of itself which then need to be recovered) and considers whether it might be possible to kill the enemy commander.
- The enemy commander pulls the formation to a halt within two hundred yards of the Bloodstone walls, and calls out for the gates to be opened to allow the tribute to be collected.
- Rook judges the opportunity too good to be passed up. He quickly nocks an arrow and fires it at the enemy commander. His shot is true and the arrow flies much faster than any normal arrow. The enemy commander is struck in the chest and falls from his horse, dead.
- There is a moment of stunned silence, but then one of the giants takes the initiative, gives a great bellow and charges at the gates. The rest of the giants follow, as do the orcs.
- Rook orders the huntsmen to fire, and the bowmen loose their arrows, felling a dozen or so of the orcs with their first shots. Rook himself fires three times at the closest giant, bringing him down with Umbral-infused arrows before moving onto the next target. He wings the second giant in the leg and slowing down its charge.
- There are two giants down before the others hit the Bloodstone defences. One hits the Bloodstone gatehouse so hard that it splinters - Rook fires multiple times at it to bring it down, but it still manages to shatter the gates, creating both an opening and leaving its corpse as a mountainous obstacle for the orcs to climb over. A fourth giant smashes into the wall on Rook’s flank, knocking defenders off their feet. It begins to climb over.
- Griffin meets one of the giants face to face on the other flank. He finds it difficult to get to grips with the creature as it pummels the walls, but at last he leaps onto it, swinging his maul once with sufficient force to stagger it, and then a second blow shatters its rocky body, showering the wall with rubble. By this point, the other giant on his side has been busy ripping a huge hole in another section of the wall and he runs over to deal with it. None of the defenders are able to stop it, even though Aelfwynn and her men continue to try. Again, Griffin tries a flying leap at it, and connects with the maul, smashing a huge chunk out of its shoulder. But this time, he is unlucky and he doesn’t manage to land back on the wall - instead, he falls into the mass of orcs below.
- Rook shifts Gorgorin back into a spear-form and goes to work on the remaining giant on the left flank. Realising that it would be difficult to reach the marauding giant with a short-handled weapon, he instead uses the spear to inflict mortal wounds on it. Gorgorin easily pierces the creature’s rocky hide and the giant crashes backwards, flattening a number of orcs who were using its body as cover against the Bloodstone archers.
- Seeing that there is still one giant attacking the right wall which Griffin is supposed to be protecting, and Griffin is not on the wall, Rook crosses from one flank to the other. He ignores the orcs that are climbing over the fallen giant that is partly blocking the entrance, figuring that Stephan and his command will deal with the threat.
- Meanwhile, Griffin has found himself surrounded by orcs on the wrong side of the Bloodstone wall. He uses the maul to drive them back, but realises that it is too unwieldy against so many foes. Switching tactics, he rushes at the nearest, splattering them with the maul but then grabbing their weapons instead. The first weapons he grabs are relatively poor - the sword quickly chips and the axe blade becomes stuck in one of his opponent’s shields, leaving him only with the haft. Nevertheless, he quickly draws his rapier in one hand, grabs an axe from his opponent in the other and he continues to cut a swathe through the enemy ranks, mowing down orcs left and right. Some of them panic and break, but even these he murderously chases them down before moving onto the next available targets. Griffin has survived demon armies in the Abyss - he keeps his head, despite being surrounded and being under fire from the Bloodstone archers. Luckily none of them shoot him.
- Rook deals with the remaining giant on the right flank who crumples against the wall. He sees that Griffin is fighting on the wrong side of the defensive wall but judges that he can handle the situation. Rook directs the archers to continue to fire against the orcs and goes to see how Stephan is faring. He finds that Stephan’s position is solid. He has blocked the orcs from entering the village and some of the enemy are beginning to retreat. Stephan’s group has had their first victory.
- The sounds of battle quickly die down, with only Griffin still fighting the orcs that have fled out of range. He singlehandedly pursues and slaughters the remaining orcs who sought to flee. Their broken bodies are left strewn over the battlefield.
- Rook leads a group down from the walls to survey the carnage, and finish off any enemy wounded. The battle has only taken twenty minutes, but there are hundreds of dead and broken bodies. Rook orders that any armour, weapons and metal should be stripped from the body, as should any valuable or useful items. The villagers are then instructed to pile up the bodies.
- Griffin reaches the pack mules. He is covered in blood - both red and black. The poor animal handlers beg for mercy and Griffin directs them to the town, telling them to take the animals with them. He isn’t sure whether they are bandits or captured peasants, but he expects the others will be able to tell.
- There is a lot of work to be done for the remainder of the day. Miraculously none of the villagers have been badly injured - only some bumps and bruises. The villagers spend some time collecting useful items from the fallen. When the bodies are piled up, Griffin organises their disposal by digging a pit using Sorcery which then consumes them. Then there are the walls to repair (harvesting the bodies of the rock giants as raw materials) and the wooden gate to be restored.
- All of the villagers are excited and enthusiastic about their first victory. Even the Royal Dragoons are called in to join in the celebrations even though they took no direct role in this opening battle. Both Baron Tranth and Rook give speeches to the people praising their valour and congratulating them on their victory. Rook explains that the bandits will not know what has happened if no one from their force returns. When someone asks what the bandits will do next, Rook explains that the bandits sent six rock giants which should be easy for him to track back to their basecamp - he promises to find out more and prepare the village for any future attack.
- Stephan contributes barrels of ale to celebrate their victory, and Rook plays a merry tune on his cittern which many dance to. After Griffin has cleaned himself in the lake waters, he joins in the festivities too. He sustained a few light wounds but he quickly heals them with Eidolon. The Abbot makes a point of pouring Griffin a mug of ale, and then goes to find Rook to offer him the same. As Griffin relaxes, he is interrupted by Lady Aelfwynn who also praises him as ‘magnificent’. Astonished, Griffin thanks her, puts down his drink and asks if she wants to dance. She refuses politely and withdraws.