Cast: Party, Elle, Martos, Tal, Refugees
Setting: Road to Brenner’s Fields
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The party has succeeded in rescuing the refugees and has begun the long trek back to Eben’s Spur. Fortunately the constant rain has let up, but the refugees are cold, starving and exhausted from the long march.
They are camped in a large field off the road, perhaps 20 miles from the Skull of Xalegos. Brenner’s Fields is two days north east, an easy trek along the road.
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Events
- Early the next morning an old man gathers the party and asks if he can speak to them in private. Once they are alone he produces the Amulet of Olivanticus, and reveals himself as Tal. He apologizes profusely and tells the party he understands if they need to kill him for what he did, but he’d like a chance to explain his actions. He fled because he thought Nebiat was gaining the upper hand. His only thought was to prevent her from gaining the Amulet. He is happy to return it to the party.
- Elle’s new role. Elle now has a 12 Diplomacy, making her one of the best leaders alive. She will step up and gather the following refugees, those who she believes can help guide the people. These will include:
Mathias- the miller, Egren’s father.
Erana- Terwynn’s wife and head smith in town
Giselle- Owner of the sweet and candle shop. A down to earth woman, but also beautiful.
Millie LaRille- Owner of the Rusty Spigot and one hell of a cook.
Elle gives each orders that make sense, and people quickly accept her authority. She also explains that Grond is in charge of military matters, and asks Mathias to work with him to find able bodied men to serve as a temporary militia.
She asks Giselle and Millie to work together to find any scraps of food. Millie will cook whatever is found into stew, and Giselle will work with anyone who has gathering / hunting skills to secure what they can. Erana is to gather all broken equipment, which Viktor can repair using his magic.
- Egren’s interogation. If no one else brings it up Elle will suggest that they interogate Egren. They have no idea what information he gleaned from Nebiat. He may even know where she escaped to. She suggests allowing her to conduct the investigation, with Grond at her side to help intimidate Egren.
- Egren is a bitter meanspirited teen. He hates the citizens of Eben’s Spur for the way they treated him growing up. He wasn’t handsome or intelligent, and because he was an ass he had very few friends. When he was approached by Nebiat he knew which way the wind was blowing, and was more than happy to sell out the town.
- When Elle offers him forgiveness and the chance of an honorable death instead of a long march with a trial at the end he laughs in her face. He’d sooner die than give them any information about Nebiat’s whereabouts. He gives vague hints about the invasion and about how Valys is doomed, but refuses to tell more.
- If the party manages to get him to talk he’ll admit he doesn’t know much about the invasion, but he does know that Kelbreth is a powerful Orokh who has united the disparate tribes in Olivantia. He has two dozen dreadlords serving him and a huge army of consumed. They are going to descend on Valys like locusts, destroying everything.
- After Egren’s interogation Elle stands atop Bufford’s back and addresses the crowd. She gives a rousing speech, telling them that while their troubles are not over the worst piece is behind them. Now they must begin the long trek home. She knows that they are hungry and tired, but they must perservere for a little longer.
- The caravan begins moving towards Brenner’s fields, and Elle gathers the party close. She asks what they believe they should do regarding Brenner’s Fields. None of them know the place, or what sort of reaction they’ll get. They have some coin, but five golden eagles will only go so far in feeding and clothing the refugees.
- The first day of travel passes quickly, but during the night the party is attacked by a mix of undead and consumed. These focus on slaughtering as many people as possible, which is a clear attempt by Nebiat to get some revenge on the party.
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Encounters
Nebiat’s attack- 6 wights, 40 shamblers and 8 consumed orokh.
