Wardens of Heroes Gate

One Night in Mosstone (is never enough)

[RECAP] You are on your way to Treyvigg Monastery to replenish a supply of Summertide Wine for one of your favorite teachers at Song Moon Temple, where you have lived since you were children. You will spend some extra time there to develop your martials skills with Elder Arrodon. At daybreak today you left temple grounds by way of a magic portal which put you, a couple of horses and a flatbed wagon in the foothills of Starspire Mountains near The Trade Way. As you were traveling North, you witnessed a caravan ahead of you on the roadway being stopped by bandits. You rushed to their aid and fended off the group of Half-Orc bandits calling themselves “Cyrics Cudgel”.

] You arrive in Mosstone later than planned. The lights of the town are already glowing against the night sky. You and the three other wagons you have been traveling with for a better part of the day head straight to Drovers Field – a large enclosed field where caravans can park their wagons – for a small fee of 2 gp a night. The caravan field is patrolled by three attendants, members of the town guard, to help prevent theft. As you arrive, you pay the 2 gp to a Half-Elf attendant and join the others on the far end of the fenced in field. Nim and Norli and Tronk are content to stay with their wagon. The two human female guards say they will go into town to restock some supplies.

Yisi] “We planned on hiring some extra guard here in Mosstone for our travel east along the Small Teeth. We hope to find a room in town for the night, but should that fail, we will camp here. Regardless, we shall see you at first light to continue North?”

] Nim Bragos agrees and wishes you a good night before vanishing within their wagon. As you walk into Mosstone you see many of the shops are closed for the day but Drovers Drink is lively. They have recently expanded the main tavern area… it used to be just little more than a narrow hallway with a bar and a few closet-sized rooms in the back. As you walk by, you see a large number of people within, 30… maybe 40.

Valea] “This one smells a fine mead she must surely try… but first, our business.”

Yisi] “Agreed. Oak Fathers may be a good option too. I could use a helping of Fathers ‘Boon Stew'”

] Because Mosstone is frequently travelled by caravans, much of this north-eastern side of town is setup to meet common needs. The main Mosstone market is on the west side of town, but there is a market square here with all the basic provisionings set close to Drovers Field. There are also booths setup of protection companies where you can hire guard from established groups rather than taking your chances in Drovers Drink. The first booth you happen upon which actually has someone to talk with is a protection guild called Titans Fist Protection Company. The human in the booth introduces himself as Tyneos.

Yisi] “Well met Tyneos. We are looking for two guards for the rest of our trip north and then east along the south side of The Small Teeth. We expect 3, maybe 4 nights to get there.”

] Tyneos “Certainly. We can meet your need. We have several sanctioned defenders available. Will you staying at your destination or will you need protection for your return as well?”

Yisi] “We will be staying at our destination. We need your service to help get us there only.”

] Tyneos “Understood. Standard cost is 10 gold per day per certified guard for active protection. They also need to be paid for their time returning which is half-cost.” He does a little math in his head… “4 days travel and let us say 2 days returning, times 2 guards, that will be 100 gold. Half now, half on your successful destination.”

Valea] “This one is surprised! Such cost?”

] Tyneos “It is standard pricing these days. You could spend more if you want specialized guards such as magic users or healers, but for guards that are handy with a sword or an axe, and are sanctioned, 10 gold per day is common. You might be able to find a lot cheaper mercenaries in Drovers Drink, but you have no guarantee they won’t rob you while you sleep and leave you alone in the wilderness. Titans Fist Protection Company ensures its guards are upstanding and guarantees your satisfaction.”

Yisi] “He does have a point Valea… we came to a business for this very reason. ”

Valea] “Of course pointy-ear… Moggy may want job here someday, that is all.” I smile at Tyneos. “Struck deal yes?”

] You pay Tyneos 50 gold and arrange to meet your guards at the gate into Drovers Field at first light. While in the market, you arrange for some extra basic provisioning, water and rations etc to be delivered as well.

Valea] “Drovers Drink? Or Oak Fathers Boon? This one thinks we are right here and so is Drovers Drink…”

Yisi] “Drovers it is.” I say smiling

] You cross the market square and enter Drovers Last Drink. The tavern is crowded and noisy. Many appear to be locals. Mostly humans but you notice some others as well, several half-elves and dwarves. There is a group of about 8 halflings gathered in the back playing some sort of game with small sticks on a table and there is a loud group across from the bar gambling in a game where they throw a handful of stones against the wall and bet on the result.

Valea] I go to the bar. “This one smells mead she would like to try.”

] Kliosa the Barmaid “That would be Ursa’s Bee Hive you smell. Local to the area. We keep it simmering here – it is best served warm.” She looks to Yisi, and her eyes seem to linger a bit as if attracted to you. “Two Ursa’s?”

Yisi] “Please.” I smile at her, but then turn to look over the room.

] Kliosa “We don’t often see folks with tails in Mosstone. You from across the sea? Maztica I think I’ve heard? Strange stories I’ve heard… like the whole land vanishing for a hundred years… is that really true? They say it just reappeared a few years back. I guess there are stranger things in the realms. Where did it go? Were you there when came back? Oh… And I love your wrap, is that a Calishite design?”

Valea] “This one does not know. Tethyr has been home since I can remember, but yes, I have been told that my kind came from jungle worlds far across sea. Someday Valea would like to…

] As you are speaking to the barmaid, a man runs into the tavern yelling “The attendant is has been killed! We need the guard!” He goes on to explain that he saw several half-orcs in the field and they had just killed one of the field attendants. They were heading towards the wagons, probably to loot them.

Yisi] “Quick! To Nim and Norli!”

] You race out into Drovers Field. Along the way to your own wagons, you witness several others that have been set on fire and groups of half-orcs killing man and beast. As you near your own wagon, you see Tronk trying to combat a group of 6 marauders which have not yet gotten to the wagons.

Valea] I rush in to help Tronk

Yisi] I attempt to cloak myself in shadow to gain some advantage against their numbers.

1d20 Stealth 17 +6 = 23

] You are hidden and can engage your Shadow Shroud

[Initiative]

] Tronk attacks one of the half-orc Bandits (5) with his hammer [()]

Valea] I attack one of the Bandits (6) which is behind Tronk to protect if I can.

1d20 Attack 17 +7 = 24 [Hit] | 2d4 Dmg 4 +5 = 9

1d20 Unarmed Attack 13 +6 = 19 [Hit] | 1d4 Dmg 3 + 4 = 7

] You barrage the half-orc with blows, pulling his attention away from Tronk and to you.

] One of the Bandits (4) attempts to smack Tronk with a maul [()] but misses critically and trips over some uneven surface, falling prone. Another (5) attempts to return Tronks damage [()] but also fails to connect with the giant bugbear. The bandit (6) facing Valea strikes [()] but fails to hit.

Yisi] I decide there is no better time to try my new magical sash – Haste. Then I use a bonus action to hamper a Bandit (1) with Serpents Hiss.

[()] Bandit (1) is deafened and poisoned for 3 rounds

] Bandit (1) looks confused as he lifts a crossbow and aims toward Valea [()] he misses critically, sinking a bolt into the Bandit (6) attacking Valea. Another Bandit (2) about 15 feet from Valea attempts to fire their crossbow at her as well [()] and is successful.

Valea] I use my reaction for Deflect Missiles.

1d10 Deflect Missiles 10 + 4 + 3 = 17

] The bolt is well aimed, but you are quick to expect it and bat it away, almost absent-mindedly, with your Basto Stick.

] Another Bandit (3) goes after Tronk with a maul [()] but the attack is blocked. Tronk tries to use the attack to his advantage [()] and drives his hammer into the off-balanced half-orc.

Valea] I attack the Bandit (5) flanking Tronk

1d20 Attack 18 +7 = 25 [Hit] | 2d4 Dmg 7 + 5 = 12

Valea] and then attempt to kick the Bandit (4) who had fallen prone

2d20a unarmed attack 16 + 6 = 22 [Hit] | 1d4 Dmg 3 +4 = 7

2d20a flurry attack 19 +6 = 25 [Hit] | 1d4 Dmg 3 +4 = 7 bonus 3 +4 = 7 +7 = 14

] You repeatedly bash and smash the vulnerable half-orc lying on the ground until he stops struggling against you. As you look up from the bloody bandit, you see another group of Half-Orcs running towards you. They are yelling war cries of “Cyrics Cudgel!” as the charge forward.

Yisi] I circle in behind the Bandits (1 & 2) firing crossbow bolts at Valea and from the shadow, I attack with my Trisula

2d20a Attack 17 +7 = 24 [Hit] | 2d4 Dmg 7 +7 = 14

2d20a Haste Attack 19 +6 = 25 [Hit] | 2d4 Dmg 5 +4 = 9

2d20a Unarmed attack 16 +6 = 22 [Hit] | 1d4 Dmg 4 +4 = 8

] Out of a shadow, your hair-fine needles strike into the back of one of the Bandit and he drops in silence, not that the other half-orc would have heard anything anyhow as he was still deaf when you completed your shadow attack with a snapping side kick into his ear. His neck slams to one side and then bounces back to the other as if being held on only by skin and dead sinew. You see 5 more bandits (7-8-9-10-11) rushing to join the fight against you.

[Initiative Adds]

Bandits 7-10 5

Bandit Captain

] The Bugbear gets a running start at one of the charging Bandits (9) [()] and catches him solid in the hip, causing the Half-orcs body to twist unnaturally. He nearly loses his footing but manages to recover from the blow facing the opposite direction he was running.

Valea] Following Tronks charge, the Bandit he hit now has it’s back to me – I take advantage

2d20a Attack 18 +7 = 25 [Hit] 2d4 Dmg 6 +4 = 10

] No sooner than the Bandit (9) recover his balance than Valea slams her Basto sticks into him, shattering his spine. Yisi, as you are watching the incoming group of Bandits, you notice one of them hangs back… and as Valea easily drops one of the chargers she begins yelling to others behind him in Orcish.

Yisi] When I see one of the Bandits calling what appear to be orders to the rest, I decide she must be carrying some authority over the marauding murderers… she becomes my next target of attack. Using the extra speed from Haste, I circle the battle area and attempt to use stealth to approach her from behind.

1d20 Stealth 14 +6 = 20 [Success]

2d20a Attack 11 +7 = 18 [Hit] 2d4 Dmg 6 +7 = 13

2d20a Attack 18 +7 = 25 [Hit] 2d4 Dmg 7 +7 = 14

2d20a Flurry 18 +6 = 24 [Hit] 1d4 Dmg 4 +6 = 10

2d20a Flurry 15 +6 = 21 [Hit] 1d4 Dmg 1 +6 = 7

] You manage to approach the Bandit Captain from behind and gain surprise in the round. Your Trisula sink deep into the Half-Orcs flesh beneath or though her studded leather armor. Then you crouch expecting a retaliation swing of her large curved blade but she appears briefly stunned by the sudden pain so you spring up, driving a knee into her rib cage and then coming down with an elbow into the side of her neck. As you land on your feet and prepare for her return assault, you hear a new rush of battle yells – these do not sound orcish but largely human, but you do not turn your eyes away to better understand what is happening.

] A Bandit (7) swings a longsword at Tronk [()] hitting only his armor. Another (8) attempts to flank the Bugbear and gains an advantage [()] and Tronk yells with the pain of the blow. The third (10) confronts Valea with a wild but powerful swing of her maul [()] but you see the attack coming and step forward into the swing beyond where the weapon can even make contact with you. You use the half-orcs wild energy to your own advantage and spin around behind the attacker.

] The Bandit Captain has regained enough of her senses to launch an attack against you Yisi [()] Her scimitar slices through the air in three downward strikes, pushing you back. The first draws some blood as the orcish woman’s speed surprises but you are able to block the remaining attacks with the Trisula held over your forearms.

] Tronk is returning blows to his attacker (7) with his war hammer [()] and gains a critical hit on the bandit, smashing the attacker with a spouting of blood which sprays across the battle area.

Valea] Next Bandit up! (8)

1d20 Attack 18 +7 = 25 [Hit] 2d4 Dmg 5 +5 = 10

1d20 Unarmed 9 + 6 = 15

] You engaged one of the remaining Bandits and deal enough damage to stagger the large Half-Orc. You notice that a large group has charged out of the town, many with weapons, some carrying water to put out the fires that are still burning. The Bandit Captain also sees the incoming surge of townsfolk and appears to panic, losing her focus on the current engagement. She yells something in Orcish and then turns to retreat from the combat with Yisi.

Yisi] I take my reaction for opportunity attack

2d20a Attack 18 +7 = 25 [Hit] 2d4 Dmg 2 +7 = 9

] She realizes her mistake a second to late as your black needles slide between her ribs.

] Shaxt “You win. We are running.”

Yisi] I leave one dagger lodged in her ribcase and put the other to her throat. “I feel like at this moment… you are not going to run any farther than I decide to allow. Why did you attack Drovers Field so viciously?!?”

] Shaxt “Three of our fellows were killed today by merchants heading for Mosstone. We sought revenge.”

Yisi] “I killed the Bandits while protecting innocent travelers from your fellows blades. I feel like killing you now will protect even more innocent.”

] Meanwhile the two other bandits turned to run, only one of them successfully. The other has Tronks hammer is his head.

] Shaxt “Let us strike a deal. I can pay well in exchange for my life. Very well.”

Yisi] I force the Bandit Captain to her knees. “What think you Valea, is there a deal to be struck with evil?”

Valea] “Valea thinks not.” I jab my Basto Stick into her other side. “Golden-boy is right, if the innocent shall live, the evil should not.”

Yisi] “What is this Cyrics Cudgel you mongrels keep yelling? You would give The Church of Cyric back its power to torment the realms?”

] Shaxt “Cyric shall return! And Cyrics Cudgel paves his way.”

] Tronk “Tronk hear nuff.” and he swings his hammer like a miner plunging his pick deep into the ground. You are all sprayed with brains and blood. Tronk laughs mockingly in a way that only a Bugbear can.

Valea] “Ahhgg! This one needs a bath now! Moggy hates baths Tronk. She hates them. Look at the mess all over Norli’s beautiful weave. Arrghh!”

] Tronk “Me sorry. Tronk forget sometimes.” He turns towards the wagon “Me sorry Norli.”

Yisi] I pick through the corpse of the Bandit Captain to see what I can find or learn about Cyrics Cudgel.

] You find a pouch with coin totaling 174 gold and several small gems which may be worth twice that each. There is a note written in Orcish. You also find two exotic looking daggers in her belt. The markings on the hilts seem to match those of the scimitar she was wielding. The other Bandit corpses all had small amounts of coin – 143 in total. But not much else of interest.

] Nim “Is it over? Will we live another night Tronk?”

] Tronk “Nim Bragos live! Norli ok?”

] Nim “We are both ok. I would appear we owe you two some more gratitude. Were these the same group of thugs we met on the Trade Way this morning?”

Yisi] “Indeed they were. I had a feeling they would cause us more trouble, I just never expected they would attempt to ravage Drovers Field! It seems they are part of some cult wanting to bring back the Church of Cyric – I have read about them … cult heads will do some brash and stupid things… and cause a lot of death in the process. They used to be a feared and hated presence around Amn before the spellplague. Our First Teacher said that Cyric was actually involved in causing the spellplague and for that was banished from planes for a thousand years. I can’t believe we would even hear his name again, much less have to battle his fanatics.”

] Fires are put out and the bodies of men, Half-orcs, and livestock are moved to the far side of the field. Attendant Guards are doubled for the rest of the night. You sleep under a makeshift tent near your wagon.