Up to this point
A party of Mercenaries answered the call for some muscle to escort a wagon of the merchant Master Jimbio from Mordara to Swansbane, a fortified village ~20 miles West of Mordara on the Lower Gift River. The party were tasked with protecting the wagon and discovering what happened to the previous one which disappeared en route. Not only were they successful in finding the ruined wagon they also discovered a Trold Folk lair which appeared to be responsible for the wagon’s destruction. In dealing with the Trold they were able to capture slaves which were offered to Master Jimbio who in turn offered them to the Temple of Ashur. Impressed by the initiative shown Jimbio offered them a higher pay-rate (2SC) if they would exact revenge on some Goblins responsible for the ambush and murder of one of his ‘archaeology’ teams. There is a 7SC bonus for finding and returning an ornate mace.
Accepting the offer the party re-equipped in Mordara and set off for a day’s journey North as instructed. However on their first night out they were also ambushed by some Goblins who used bowmen, spearmen and some sneaks with dagger to nearly cause a disaster. Of the 7 Goblins who attacked 6 were killed, but one escaped…
You are expecting to find a Goblin encampment (could be an underground lair or rough construction) with 5-10 fighting males, there will be about the same number of females who are not the best fighters but still dangerous. Its location is described as being due 20miles NNE from Mordara“as the dragon flies” just inside the ‘Gap of Grace’, it is on the Northern side of the Tongue River. The Gap of Grace is a wide natural valley of about 2miles width between spurs of the Elder Hills. Its entry point is easy to find because it lies between the 2 mountain ranges on the Eastern side of the ‘Mordaran Bowl’ and is split right down the middle by the frigid mountain waters of the Tongue River.
Episode 1.1
Location: ~15 miles N of Mordara, at the foot of the Elder Mountains
Date: 13th of April, 206DE
Weather: Overcast with Fog, Temp (0˚ to 24˚)
NameStatusMoveOther Notes
Draexil100%12m, Strategic-
Mist100%21m, StrategicOn hoofWarhorse I
Jace100%12m, StrategicOn foot
Flax100%17m, StrategicOn pawDog I
Ted100%x, Strategic-
x100%16m, StrategicOn pawHyena
x100%26m, StrategicOn hoofRiding horse II
Yesterday’s fine clear weather has changed into Fog causing visibility todecrease to about 200 feet. Fog occurs often around here thanks to the Swamps that herald the beginnings of the nearby Lower Gift River; it usually burns itself out by mid-morning. The sky is overcast but rain doesn’t always accompany heavy clouds in these parts so the day is likely to stay dry.
The wide flat Donaran Plains are untamed here, they are also broken by the occasional outcrop of rock or even low hillocks as you are truly in at the foot of the enormous Elder Mountains now. This is still excellent horse-riding terrain though.
Despite last night’s ambush and the near disaster which the Goblins brought to your camp the rest of the morning passed quietly and all were able to rest and heal sufficiently to continue on today. Master Jimbio’s directions suggests the Goblins you are heading for should be only another half day’s journey away at your current pace and morning’s light brings confirmation that the bleeding Goblin who escaped you last night isapparently moving in the same direction. If you head to the East today you should find the Gap of Grace with ease.
Draexil and Ted’s Actions
Not hunting but Gathering food (Ted’s Hyena will hunt if the opportunity appears)
We'll both be keeping a very, very careful watch on the lay of the land, so to speak. Bows unwrapped, but slung (kept in oil rags usually, of course)
If attacked, let us know and survey the land for us.
Jace’s Actions
I would be suggesting to move carefully through the fog, while it gives us cover it also gives goblins cover. Will use my Dog to help find tracks while keeping my eye out searching for track and enemies alike. With the natural valley up ahead being 2miles wide it is also a likely place for ambush, having the high ground will enable archers or other projectiles a significant advantage above us. While it is 2 miles wide, a far distance to be sure, it never hurts to overestimate the enemy. They have been here longer and have had time to arrange their own fortifications. Even if were not attacked a look out will most likely be around that location as well.
Episode 1.2
Location: ~18 miles NNE of Mordara, in the Gap of Grace
Date: 13th of April, 206DE4pm
Weather: Overcast, Temp 16˚
NameStatusMoveOther Notes
Draexil100%12m, Strategic-
Mist100%28m, StrategicOn hoofRiding HorseIII
Jace100%12m, StrategicOn foot
Flax100%17m, StrategicOn pawDog I
Ted100%x, Strategic-
x100%16m, StrategicOn pawHyena
x100%26m, StrategicOn hoofRiding horse II
After the whole day moving at the pace of Jace’s feet the Gap of Grace is reached. Despite the hills that mark the sides of the Gap being low they are sheer enough and high enough to make it abundantly clear where you are. The Tongue River is also another clear marker that you are on the right track. Its waters are cold as they obviously source from the still-frigid Elder Mountains and you pass numerous small streams and rivulets where the River starts to dissipate into the Plains. The water appears clear and clean. The fog lifted early and gave you good visibility over the Plains as they started to rise towards the hills and mountains. Crags and mounds litter this extremity of the Donaran Plains and the sight of them brings to your mind the childhood stories of the evil burial mounds rumoured to be left from ancient empires, it is a chilling thought to be out here essentially alone if those stories are true.
The trail left from the Goblin attack party and its sole survivor was only partially visible to Jace as he followed it intermittently for about an hour. Although he is sure it was coming from the direction you are aiming for the sun warming the grass caused the trail to slip away and he was left without a lead. The first real hint of a potential ‘lair’ came with the sight of a wisp of smoke as from a campfire on the Northern side of the Gap’s wall. It appears to be still a couple of miles off and it is likely to be dark before you reach it. Also, even from this distance, it is apparent that it emanates from within a small copse of scraggly trees though it is hard to guess their height or nature from here.
GM Notes:Remember I keep the Master Character sheet and update it
Herbivores were able to take in enough FP today to be sustained due to the slow movement rate (10miles/ Strategic Turn thanks to Jace attempting to Track on foot)
Characters and Animals will need to eat rations. (I have noted this on your sheets – I will inform you when your rations are down to less than 2 days unless otherwise noted.)
Unless otherwise noted you will drink 1 quart of water a day from your water skins. Animals will forage for it and take none of you own except in situations where it obviously has to be provided (desert etc)
Expertise/Experience
Jace picked up 1 Partial in Carrying; he still does not have this skill yet though
Draexil and Ted pick up 1 Partial in Horsemanship every EL Days
Draexil writes for the Group
We all move around to the West, and THEN head NNE into the hills. We'll leave the horses IN the hills, in as much cover as possible, staking them out if necessary.
We approach from the rear, taking cover in the hills behind the campsite. From there (COVER, IN COVER, ALL OF US FOR CHRIST'S SAKE IN COVER!) we'll scope the place out.
If hostile, I think Draexil is the only one with the bow... So he'll leave cover (read: stand up) and loose arrows (slowly, picking targets carefully) at the enemy.
Once they start the rush up the hill, and as they start to get into melee range, switch to melee weaponry.
Tedand Jace should be able to ambush once they get within range.
After the initial ambush (and the lovely, wonderful extra damage from it), Draexil's going to pop a sleep touch to even the odds.
Following the sleep touch, Invisibility on himself (EL0) and any friendlies within range. (touching)
Once Invisibility has been popped, it's a second ambush (remember the extra damage from Assassin for Draexil, as well as the extra Ambush benefits.)
If we're still out-numbered after second ambushes, it'll be a second sleep touch to even the odds as quickly as possible.
Let us know when we're left with only sleeping enemies and corpses.
Episode 1.3
Location: ~18 miles NNE of Mordara, in the Gap of Grace
Date: 13th of April, 206DE5:30pm
Weather: Overcast, Temp 12˚
NameStatusMoveOther Notes
Draexil100%12, Strategic-Leading Mist
Mist100%28, StrategicOn hoofRiding Horse III
Jace100%12, StrategicOn foot
Flax100%17, StrategicOn pawDog I
Ted100%13, Strategic-
Yves100%16, StrategicOn pawHyena
Laurent100%26, StrategicOn hoofRiding horse II
The smoke wisp ahead gives you, as a group, a feeling that your prey is close by and a discussion soon follows as you seek to formulate a plan. Jace is in favour of a frontal assault, it suits his style after all, but in the end he is persuaded that his beloved sword will be better served by supporting the more stealth-minded Wizard and Scout as they create an ambush for the Goblins.
The plan is agreed upon, together you will return a little to the West before striking back NNE to climb the hills and attack the location from the rear… at the very least this will allow your ranged weapons a chance to attack with complete surprise.
Back-tracking for about a mile only takes half an houror so. Ted then points out that there is going to be enough light for another 30min of easy travelling so you start to make your way towards the Hills that rim the Gap of Grace. As you get closer you notice scraggly cliffs that take the increasingly broken Plains suddenly up into the feet of the Elder Mountains.
It looks as though you might be faced with 2 problems.
The Gap of Grace appears to be a sunken bowl with steep sides surrounding it:
- The first problem appears to be finding an easy way to climb the irregular cliffs; on foot it will be extremely difficult and for the animals impossible.
- The second problem is that even should a path up be founddoes thissort of terrain continue further along towards the forest you saw? If it does then is there any chance of setting your ambush if your enemies are on the Plains?
Night is starting to fall and movement for now is going to be more difficult, you will be able to keep up a decent pace on the plains, though their undulating surface with crags and boulders could cause problems if you or your horses are unlucky.
Expertise/Experience
Nil
Characters Commands
Draexil
Looking at the sheer, vertical wall in front of him, Draexil realises that gaining a little altitude on the enemy is not going to be possible. The element of surprise, however, does not appear to be entirely inaccessible. Considering the terrain briefly, he consults the others:
"Unless we've got a sapper crew to carve ourselves out a tunnel system, here, I don't think we're getting up this wall. Instead, why don't we use it to our advantage, such that we can? Well follow the line of the wall and double back around toward the camp. We can picket just inside the tree line, and approach under and using the wall for all the cover it can afford us."
As he talks, he rearranges his equipment. With only an hours walk at most 'til engagement, in far less than idealistic conditions, he wraps his Longbow carefully in itsoil rags and lays it across the horn of his saddle. He checks and tightens his leather armour, enough that it feels as sure as possible without restricting movement to excess.
Jax
Jax stands considering the implications of following yet another plan. Wondering at the combat skills of his two companions. The... magic person... seems to have a slight clue.... bit pushy though... the other is rather silent, possibly a good thing. Seems the plan to climb this forsaken walls is a moot point, damn they’re steep... how the hell was I meant to climb that... thankfully I don’t have to. Jax smiles to himself. Now it lookslike this could be a face on hammering.... awesome...
Jax turns to his companions: If were going to follow the wall and into the forest we run the risk of ambush ourselves.... I am so in for that....
Jax grins, the thirst for battle and the bloodshed to follow another point in his belt against his father... I will be better then you old man....
Jax prepares himself, fitting his armour, loosening his sword and tightening his shield for combat.
Jax: Remember its going to be dark soon… how are you all for night fighting?... we may miss something or someone, easier for us to be caught... or consider maybe camping here for tonight and using early morning for the ambush when they may be most tired?. Using this night to rest ourselves?
Episode 1.4
Location: N edge of the Gap of Grace, up against the cliff-face
Date: 14th of April, 206DE10:00pm
Weather: Overcast with snow, Temp 2˚
NameStatusMoveOther Notes
Draexil100%12, StrategicLeading MistLeather Armour, Longbow
Mist100%28, StrategicOn hoofRiding Horse III
Jax100%12, StrategicOn footScale Mail, Sword, Banded Target Shield
Flax100%17, StrategicOn pawDog I
Ted100%13, StrategicOn RH IILeather Armour, Throwing Axe
Yves100%16, StrategicOn pawHyena
Laurent100%26, StrategicOn hoofRiding horse II
Although the reality of the situation is a bit of a blow to an otherwise good plan it is obvious that climbing the hill’s cliff face is impossible thanks to this rather unorthodox geological structure. Ted is intrigued by it and can be heard muttering to himself about the implications of sub-surface hollows and how this might be a leftover from the eon-old Battles of the Gods. He finally pulls from his reverie to sniff the air and declare that the overcast conditions will assist sneaking up on the forest.
A hurried conference at least confirms that this momentary setback is hardly going to stop the group from a successful ambush on the Goblins, should this indeed prove to be their camp, and they immediately fall to preparations.
Jax gleefully dons his Scale Mail Armour, hefts his Banded Target Shield and beloved Sword.He takes a few practice swings before finally declaring himself fit for combat. Noting the ruddy face and almost joyful expression at the thought of bloodletting on the face of his more aggressive companion Draexil can be heard to audibly sigh as he tightens his combat Leathers and makes his Longbow ready. Ted silently walks off to stare ahead as though his eyes could penetrate the gloom into the dangers before them his hand rests gently on the head of the Dwarven Throwing Axe tucked in his simple belt.
Jax and Flax take the point. Walking alongside Mist, guiding her towards the forest a few miles ahead, snatches of prayers to Mushru can be heard as Draexil meditatively prepares to strike a blow at the Kotothic scum so hated by his Lord and Master.
Ted sits upon his horse as usual and rides just out from the wall to provide flanking cover and a height advantage for sighting ahead.
4 uneventful hours is what it takes to reach the first trees as the darkness and uneven ground makes travel difficult in the night and it is here that the party stop to take council as to the best plan for picketing the animals and approaching the estimated location of the smoke.About an hour previously a few flakes of snow blew down from the mountains which loom many miles to the North and now the snow fall has picked up in volume. The temperature has dropped considerably and the trees and uncovered patches of ground have a soft covering of white.
There have been no further signs of campfires or any sign of Goblins, but this is definitely the trees in which the smoke was first sighted. The trees are not dense and some can be seen to sprout from the cliffs which tower above you. Visibility into the copse is poor, but the depth of this woody patch can be guessed to be some 300- 500 feet along the cliff wall, it extends outwards to a length of roughly 300 feet. The vegetation is a transition from the ankle- to knee-high grasses of the plains to light shrubs, small trees of 8-12 feet in height with the occasional grand tree of 20-30 feet height.