Setting: The Fist
Cast: Guard Leiutenant Terent
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The Fist is a squat stone keep set on a small hill just under a quarter mile from the shore of the river Eldinore. It was built at the river’s narrowest point, a paltry two hundred yards across. Fording the river anywhere else for fifty miles is much more difficult.
The Fist takes it’s name from the five towers set atop the thick wall bordering the keep proper. Each stabs nearly a hundred feet into the sky, allowing the guards stationed there to see for miles in all directions. The towers all have an enchanted bell. When rung it will cause a specially prepared Fire Ruby to blaze to life at each tower. The combined radiance is visible from the other border forts, warning them of impending attack.
The keep is large enough to hold a garrison of several thousand infantry, and can stable five hundred cavalry comfortably. These days those garrisons are considerably smaller, some even call them under strength. A mere thousand pikemen and a hundred cavalry are stationed at the fist.
They are backed by the might of a trio of Imperial Battlemages with six apprentices, as well as five Warmasters. Each warmaster is in charge of one of the wings of the keep, including the tower perched over their respective domains. The garrison forces are divided into battalions under the control of those warmasters.
The PCs approach the front gate of the fist, a wide wooden drawbridge that is currently lowered. A portcullis blocks the way, with a small sally gate standing open next to it. Two guards flank the wrought iron gate, both wearing glittering chain covered by the red and gold tabards of the Hasran military.
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Events
- When the PCs approach the sally gate the two guards will rest their hands on the hilt of their longswords. One of them steps forward and demands “You lot from Eben’s Spur? You’re a couple of days early.” He obviously has an attitude of superiority. He’ll be condescending towards the ‘provincials’ and remarkably unhelpful. He insists that the PCs leave the cart and be on their way. He also refuses to give his name.
- Assuming the PCs protest (Elle will if no one else does) the commotion will attract the attention of Guard Leiutenant Terent. He will approach and demand, “What’s the problem here Squig?”. Squig (the soldier giving the PCs a hard time) will try claim that the PCs are trying to force entry to the Fist.
- Terent turns to the PCs and asks their business. When they explain that why they wish to see the War Captain Terent orders Squig to let them pass and to see to the cart. He asks the PCs to come with him and escorts them to his office at the base of one of the five towers.
- Terent asks the PCs to explain in detail what happened in Eben’s Spur. He asks pointed, intelligent questions about Nebiat’s attack and about the events in Arinelle (assuming they tell him). Terent tells the PCs that he’s seen such tactics before, back during the war. He even knows who Nebiat is and is willing to tell them a bit of her background, including why she hates their mentors.
- After Terent has learned the situation he’ll tell the PCs what’s going on at the Fist. He doesn’t believe that War Captain Vestes can be persuaded to act, but he can at least arrange a meeting. He will be surprised to learn that Elle is the War Captain’s niece. Terent knew her mother, who died during the war. She was Vestes’s younger sister, one he was particularly close to before she died.
- Terent tells the PCs he will find them quarters in one of the unused baracks. He recommends they stay there, as they will cause trouble if they wander the keep. Most of the soldiers stationed here are not from Valys, and resent provincials. They will make trouble and blame it on the PCs. Terent is going to go to one of the War Masters to see if he can schedule an appointment with the War Captain.
