2011-06-17

Day 19

• After regrouping outside the Norwynn camp, the party rides hard for Estergate Forrest.
• Harold & Culain have quite the haul from their plundering of the camp. They endeavour to hide certain items from Tharo.

• On arrival, Tharo sets about poisoning the well.
• Culain douses the thatched roofs in oil and stacking firewood against the walls.

• Riders from the west!
• It's around 100 'professional' soldiers from Draccliff here to 'protect their investment'.
• They're here for pay-back and to get more favourable trade conditions.
• With them are two paladins of Moradin.
• We trick them into thinking we are advance troops from the Norwynn Army.
• We tell them that infiltrators sabotaged the main army and delayed them. (The Truth!)
• They set up camp in the houses.

• Their king arrives and wants to meet us.
• Harold harbours a smouldering hate for this guy due to previous encounters.
• The meeting is short and rather heated.
• Insults are traded and it is revealed he only called for us so he can taunt us.
• We leave.

• The dwarf paladins believe they are a moderating influence on the king.
• Apparently, it weren't for them, he would have done worse things.

• We make our move.
• Tharo and Culain start ambushing sentries and locking soldiers in houses.
• Upon discovery, they set the place on fire.
• Tharo sneaks into the Mayor's compound and locks the door.
• As he sets fire to the house one of the paladins spots him.
• Tharo runs out and over the wall, leaping into the square beyond.
• The paladin follows him straight through the wall.
• "@#%∂ µ∫çΩß∂ ∆πø¥ †∑Œ◊‡ ›‹¢§¶•≠ @#$%# ELF!"
• Change of plan, LEG IT!

• We find a good spot to hide and have our first good rest in ages.

Day 20

• Unbeknownst to the party, Farya has a magical conversation with persons unknown.

• The looted documents confirm that Ajar is/was assisting the Norwynn Invasion.
• The looted documents also confirm Draccliff is assisting in an unofficial manner.

• We run into the back of the refugee column from Estergate Forest.
• We convince them to keep going through the night.

Day 21 (Morning)

• We all reach Ironhedge Bridge.
• There was much rejoicing.

• Sir Reldler is bought up to date on recent events.
• He let Ajar go to helf ferry refugees away from the town in his boat.
• What the hell Reldler!
• We give the looted magical tomes to the wizards who are attempting to get the portal up and running.

• Sleep, glorious sleep.

Day 21 (Afternoon - Night)

• There have been a few skirmishes at the gates which have been repulsed.
• A wizard (theirs) screwed up while casting a spell and there is now a dust storm to the north-east of town.

• We go shopping for various goods.

• Tharo goes off to do some research for unknown reasons.
• Culain locates stores of pitch and distributes them to the gate guards.
• Farya and Harold go to see Tanob in order to tie up a number of loose ends.

• Tanob has been knifed and the culprit is escaping!
• Farya tends to Tanob and Harold gives chase badly.
• The assassin runs into a storeroom filled with magical darkness.
• Harold is completely outmanoeuvred and the assassin gets away.

• The party reassembles and makes sure it wasn't Serin.
• Tharo tracks the interloper.
• We make it outside just as she eaves over the wall and plunges into the river.
• Culain jumps in and swims after her.
• The rest follow along the river banks.

• The assassin who is revealed to be Aome gets into trouble and goes under.
• Culain attempts a rescue but it is too late.
• Aome has drowned.
• ...
• What?!?

• The party take the body to the clerics or Moradin and arrange a séance.
• We get three questions.

• "What, in the last month, have you done against the interests of the nation of Ostvale?"
• Light thievery work.
• Hiding presence (attempted to murder the pass clerk to cover tracks).
• Helping some people who wished to sabotage the town.

• "Please, could you tell us specific details of all acts of sabotage you have been, or are currently involved in?"
• Stealing the gem.
• Helping a group sabotage the gates.
• Assisting a plot to assassinate Lord Tiaden.

• "Provide us with every detail you have on the plot to assassinate Lord Tiaden."
• A series of hit-men have been hired.
• The plan is to bump him off when he is meeting townsfolk or at some public event.
• Only did intelligence gathering.
• Doesn't know names or safe-houses.

• Tharo notices he is missing 500gp.

• Looks like it's time to do some bodyguarding.