Saturday 10 December 2022

Turn 1: The Thrappled Lemmings at Utstein Marknad (Five Leagues from the Borderland)

Starting Location: Utstein Marknad (Hex 0303) 

Local Events

 The Thrappled Lemmings are in town, but their funds are going to run out pretty quickly, given the way that they drink. Nevertheless, going to the pub was the right choice. As they bought some rather poor quality ale for too much money, the group talked to the locals and the visitors. There were tales of danger and delves to be done, but some elements of one of the stories struck a chord with Lysanthir. Could this be their first clue about the Temple they sought? One of the locals spoke of a tale of an elemental cult that had a temple near a village in Utavoll when an ancient and long lost kingdom ruled this area. Traces of the kingdom's remains can still be seen, but little else is known about it.

So, talking to the locals nets the Lemmings 1 Adventure Point. They are going to need to head out and do daring deeds to make a few Marks to pay for their bar tab though.

Campaign Activities

Given the success of talking in the pub, half the party stays there and carries on drinking (Meet the Locals). Buying round after round buys lots of friends and Lysanthir is able to tease out more of the story about the Temple ruins and the lost kingdom.

Sir Thiebault, Drogo and Fuldar spend their time helping the town guard to pay for the party's bar tab which extended beyond the party's ability to pay.

Research

Further discussions in the pub yield no further information so the party decide that they need to head out, especially upon discovering that they still have a bar tab outstanding.

Adventure

Given the threat that the orcs pose to the human settlements, the party decide to take the fight to the orcs and Battle the Enemy Threat. The locals told Lysanthir and his mercenaries that orcs have been active the area and have pillaged local farms. No doubt they will be too busy Counting their Loot (+1 Mark if hold the field) right now and should be easy to sneak up on. The locals fear that the orcs are Gathering Information with a view to mounting an invasion and wiping out Utstein.

"Never fear," says Sir Thiebault, "We shall deal with them. Come, my comrades, we ride now!"

The Thrappled Lemmings quickly found the site of the latest raid. A pair of archers, a spearorc and an orc captain were present, but there were signs that there were still more orcs present in the area. The party needed to drive off the orcs and check for survivors before a larger force could make its presence felt. They could then rally the locals and bring back a larger force of their own to drive off these felons.


Knowing the orcs' hatred for elves, Sir Thiebault decided to use Lysanthir as bait to draw off the orcs while he and Drogo searched for survivors. He did not tell Lysanthir this though.

"Lysanthir, Osenipe, Fulrad and Wido, stay together and take the right flank. Advance towards the house and look for survivors and loot there. Drogo and I will take the left flank and swing round to that copse over there. It looks a likely place for survivors and provides a good chance to scout the rest of the area from cover."


Lysanthir looked doubtful about the two best warriors going off together, but agreed anyway. Sir Thiebault was the tactical expert here and should know what he was doing. He stepped into the open and cast a Wall of Fire across a gap between the farmhouse and the scrub ground. That would slow the enemy but not stop them. Still, he needed to give the party all the time he could so they could successfully scout the area without being hammered by the orcs, especially as it appeared orcish reinforcements were on their way.

The orcs saw Lysanthir and immediately charged towards him.

As not quite planned, the party then split up. Sir Thiebault raced to the left flank, as he had stated he would. Drogo raced for the other left flank. Onesipe and Fulrad stayed in the cover of their copse and fired at one of the orc archers but neither hit their target, and Wido stayed with Lysanthir to protect him.

Drogo raced for the shelter of a small copse of trees, while Sir Thiebault moved into the rough ground near the farm. Onesipe let fly another crossbow bolt, but missed while Fulrad made his shot count, taking out the orcish archer with an arrow to the eye.

The other orcish archer moved into position to shoot at Lysanthir. The spearorc and his captain moved at full speed towards Lysanthir. By this time, Sir Thiebault could see the orcish reinforcements.


"Orcs!" He yelled, "Three of them!"

Lysanthir bravely turned his tail and fled in the opposite direction of the orcs advancing on him, taking cover behind the hill the party had started on. Wido bravely followed him to protect him.

The remaining orcish archer moved to a position where he could see Lysanthir once more. All the other orcs charged towards the poor Mystic too.

Onesipe fired a bolt that took the enemy captain through the shoulder but left him still upright. Fulrad moved to a position where he had a better shot at the enemy captain but then realised he was out of ammunition. He cursed.

Drogo moved to the farmhouse but found no survivors there. Sir Thiebault turned to attach the archer behind him but was pushed back and the two paused in the battle, breathing hate at each other. In an unaccustomed display of bravery, Wido turned and confronted the orcish captain. A single thrust of his spear was enough to take the captain down.

Lysanthir moved into the cover of a nearby copse and cast a barrier spell between Wido and the advancing orcs. They would still keep coming but it would take them longer!


The death of their captain was enough to send one of the orcs fleeing, but the rest just wanted revenge! The orcish archer was clearly rattled by this, because Sir Thiebault was able to cleave its chest open with a single slash of his sword. The spearorcs closed in on Lysanthir, who had little room for manoeuvre now.

Wido closed in on one of the orcs and pushed it back, but was not able to hurt it. Onesipe moved to a position where he could shoot. Fulrad, being out of ammunition, attacked the orc nearest him with his sword but the orc's furious defence could not be overcome. Seeing the orc's back briefly unprotected, Lysanthir drove his sword into it, and one more orcish raider spilled its guts in the dust. Meanwhile, Drogo moved towards the other key point the party needed to scout.


The deaths of its comrades were enough to cause another orc to flee, but one yet remained. Wido and Fulrad formed up on Lysanthir while Sir Thiebault advanced quickly towards them to give support. Drogo was now sprinting towards the final area to be scouted.


The orc closed on Lysanthir, who immediately turned the tables and cut it down. The party now held the field and Drogo was able to quickly confirm that the final location contained no survivors.


Post-Battle Resolution

Adventure points gained: 6

Adventure milestone: Having defeated the orcs, I roll to see if their threat is reduced. I spend 4 Adventure Points on this. The roll is a 2 and the orcish threat is reduced by one.

Advancement: As a result of this battle, Onesipe now has enough experience to advance a level. He chooses the skill Pathwise as his advancement for this level. Wido's actions see him promoted to Hero status.

Loot: Searching the bodies turns up 1 Mark, a Fine Helmet and a Potion of Serpent Water. Lysanthir immediately takes the potion, claiming that only he knows how to use it. Sir Thiebault demands the fancy helmet and gives his old one to Drogo.

The party return to Utstein Marknad, where they report the results of their actions and their bar tab is written off for their efforts. A caravan is just arriving at the market as they return (2 additional rolls on rare goods next turn when trading).

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