DM Gralbor

[DMGralbor]

"Fiona's Fighters"

Location: Hilltown Forge, Lithar
Date: 3/17/734

Summary:
With the arrival of Emperor Brand's emissary to King Zaine of Lithar in an attempt to alleviate tensions within Lithar and the Western Coalition, Lady Devaull, Paladin of Anthor and member of the Order of Pace, helps to bring another bargaining and compromise option to the diplomatic and military concerns in Hilltown Forge.  Acting on behalf of Torin Brand, she offers a settlement of hostilities, with the reimbursement of lands of Western Lithar to King Zaine in the form of trade and commodities, a debt backed by the Emperor himself, to ensure a united Thardferr, thereby establishing the Western Coalition as a seperate and independent republic.

After some discussion between Zaine, his advisors, and Fiona (as representative of the Order and the Coalition), Zaine eventually agrees to the terms, with the understanding that the nature of the deal is not released to public knowledge as it would damage his reputation.  Instead, after some conversation, it is agreed upon that the public story will be that the Western Coalition is being granted independence from Lithar to create an independent state responsible for the protection of the west, reducing the costs of necessary taxes and levies upon the people and baronies in Lithar as it no longer carries the expense of defenses in the west.  In addition, it is agreed upon that a permanent Coalition emissary will be established at a future date to provide a diplomatic tie.

Turning back to the issue of military obligations to the east, Zaine declares his intention to recruit the mercenary army in the north to attempt to send them east.  The matter of internal politics is not approached by either of the emissaries, and Zaine leaves the Council with the impression that he has decided to deal with problems diplomatically.

[DMGralbor]

IC Date: 3/19/734
Location: Riverington
PCs: Barthis, Missy, Damian
NPCs: M. Dolcran, M. Arylor

Synopsis:
The Fall of Riverington
The Scourge of Drinn

As the fires of House Dolcran rage into the night sky, the gnollish forces of Barthis Drinn's army are dispatched by the General to estabish a net perimeter, looking to ensure his forces security and reduce the chance of detection or escapees. Having sent his living forces ahead of the main body of undead, the General waits for half a day to provide a lead time. During this time, a small snow storm begins with light snow but gradually builds as the air comes off the top of the Krahkza Hills and a true winter storm brews at the backs of Barthis and his undead army.

Having fled the city after her killing of Chastnee and the beginning of the uprising within Riverington, Mis'tanealla Oruasamen scouts out one of the gnollish forces heading around to the north of the city and decides to head back into town to bring even more chaos to the already now ravaged trade city. Taking sides in both Houses' forces, going from area to area and directing unorganized soldiers to concentrations of opposition that only ensure their death, the Chaoslady begins to bring a great tribute to her god.

With the arrival of the winter storm also comes the Scourge of Drinn, the black-plated General astride his massive jet black charger. Reaping carnage wherever he goes, Barthis and his cadre of skeleton warriors cut through the weakened defenses of the now lost city. With the command to engage, the main body of Drinn's undead army begins to move as a wave of terror and death through the western end of the city, cutting down everything in their path and setting to torch each and every building.

Feigning a leadership for the defense of the city, Missy organizes squads of men and women to defend their homes to the last. With their hopes lifted by the appearance of this Elven woman of the Order, soldiers and citizens rally to her wherever she goes, but soon they begin to fall, destroyed by the inherent treachery that is a Chaoslady. Following behind the squads of fighters, Missy cuts down the defenders from behind while they are assailed in the front by undead that Missy has managed to take control.

Standing over the fallen and beheaded leader of the Secessionists, Marcus Dolcran, General Drinn cleans his blade on the torn and bloodied tabard of the Trade Master. Informed of a resistance effort and the loss of control of some of the undead in the city, Barthis sets about dispatching this would-be challenge to his authority in the overly active graveyard called Riverington. Approaching the position of resistance, Barthis instantly recognizes the scantily clad Elven woman, but can hardly believe his eyes. Striking down every last person in his way, the dark general strides towards Missy and calls out her name.

After discussion concerning Missy's apparent survival of the Western Litharian plains, and the even more obvious point that the entire unit survived, Barthis' mind is cleared of the memory spell cast by the Necromancer. Learning the true nature of the deception, knowing that his mate and children still live, and that he has now committed such a heinous act against the land that he had once sworn to protect, Barthis nearly snaps. His sanity, stretched and worn through much warfare, deception and treachery, is barely held in check by the fact that Missy brings him out of his self-introspection by destroying Barthis' lieutenant right in front of him.

Once again beset by his own sense of personal dishonor, Barthis begins to espouse his plans for vengence upon the Necromancer and to bring down the very walls of the man's city, such as he has unwittingly been the pawn and destroyed Riverington. Missy, ever willing to change direction of plans, suggests destroying the Necromancer's plans by using his own forces for the preservation of the Confederation by taking them against the gathered forces of the Sythians in the northeast. With a dark and sinister laugh, Barthis agrees by responding, "Even a cursed blade can commit a righteous act."

Giving second-in-command to Mis'tanealla, Barthis makes plans and advises all his supporting clerics to begin raising the city of Riverington for the defense of the Confederation. Looking into the fire-lit dwan from the Hell that the once proud trade city has become, Barthis glares into the rising sun on the eastern horizon, vowing his penance and swearing to make his treacherous travesty into a saving grace for the Confederation.

[DMGralbor]

IC Date: 4/3/734
Location: Holstern
PCs: Missy
NPCs: Raven, Arimus

Synopsis:
Ballog Rising
Missy’s Crusade

Leaving Barthis’ forces to their own designs as they move across the landscape to the northeast, Missy takes a detachment of undead and a few assistants, in addition to her already swelling followers from the creation of Ballog’s greatest shrine in all of Thardferr, the ruins of Riverington.  Her target: reinforcements and elimination of communications with the east at Holstern.

Moving across the barren stretches of snow-covered southern Lithar, Missy and her new lieutenant, Raven, lead the force of Ballogians and undead to the outside edges of Holstern.  Sending her messenger into town first, Raven meets up with the old man, Arimus, to inform him and the others that are intent on the spread of Chaos throughout the land that their leader has arrived and the will of Ballog comes with her.

Directing the necromancers and their creations to immediately attack the town, Missy gives way to the powers of Chaos and lets destruction reign in the small outpost village.  Relishing a personal joy, the Chaoslady proudly leads her personal guard in cutting off the Order messengers as they make a desperate scramble to get out word of the commencing attack.  Striking down all that are in their path, Missy mortally wounds one young messenger, but delighting in the possibilities, orders that he be placed on his horse and set upon the east road.

Enjoying the scene of panic and Chaos, Missy knows that she has duties elsewhere when she learns from Arimus the news of a survivor from Riverington.  Informed that he went north to the Secessionist barons of Lonington, Missy thanks the old man for his assistance and welcomes the man into her force.

[DMGralbor]

IC Dates: 4/12-15/734
Location: Meminshire, Lithar

PCs: Missy, Muninn, Rix, Nalia
NPCs: Natanu

Synopsis:
Battle of Meminshire
Episode III: A New Hope

The day started out pleasant enough for the inhabitants of the trade town Meminshire.  The sun was shining, the air was warming as the last vestiges of winter left the regions of Lithar.  Children happily played through the muddied streets of the still unpaved roads, a testament to the destruction of years ago with the last Mage War.  Unfortunately for Meminshire, though, the day was quickly about to change.

Trade barons from the east and south of Lithar had risen up in arms in outrage of the destruction of Riverington, their largest trade city and clearest symbol of the trade barons power and wealth. Their intent was to gain the notice of the King, letting him know that they were finally done with the excessively high levies and taxes upon their trade with the kingdom, and they were demanding changes to the system.

King Zaine and his loyal barons, though, saw the rise of this armed force as an act of open rebellion, knowing nothing of the true nature of their actions nor of the destruction of Riverington. Fearing an assault upon the very seat of government and their prosperous way of life, Hilltown Forge, the supporting barons (Hawks) bring their forces to bear.

Receiving word of the King's forces being on the march, the Rebels take up a defensive position in and around the town of Meminshire. Seeing this maneuver and receiving misleading intelligence from sources, the Hawks make the decision to attack rather than permit the Rebels any chance of further fortifying their position.

The Battle of Meminshire rages outside the western edge of the town, and minor portions of it begin to trickle into the trade town.  Citizens, fearing even more for their lives now that the battle has overflown the battlefield begin to desperately scramble for safety out the eastern edge of town, only to be confronted by a large force moving into the town, a massive horned beastman leading the charge of snarling, vicious looking warriors.  Having almost turned the tide of the battle against the Rebels, the reinforcements come at an opportune moment, driving the Hawks at least out of the town.  Finally, with the addition of some aerial reinforcement, the Hawks surrender the field and turn tale for Hilltown Forge, realizing the potential of losing all by remaining on this battleground.

[DMGralbor]

IC Date: 4/19/734 (thereabouts at least)
Location: Tuth (Roadways, Coops, Zephyr Way and Hog's Heart Inn)
PCs: Barthis and Fiona
NPCs: Famoire, Iereas, and Keneir

Synopsis:
As Fiona and Barthis both head towards Coops for different reasons, Fiona checks in with the Order garrison hoping for information pertaining to Cethlyn.  Learning that she had left the garrison and refused to remain in the care of the healers, instead that she had gone to the Scion Conclave the last that anyone had seen, Fiona makes her way there.  After some discussion with Famoire, the young girl taking care of the Conclave while Scions are out and about, Fiona learns that Cethlyn and two other people with her had headed to Windtown.

With this knowledge, Fiona leaves the Conclave intent on traveling west, but comes up short when the black-armored Barthis appears at the Scion doorstep.  After some brief conversation, the two join company and set their eyes for the western horizon.  Choosing not to pry into Barthis' whereabouts and happenings, Fiona tells the quite and distant man about her travels, the perversion of the gods in a temple up north, and the reappearance of a man whom Barthis instantly recognizes.  Informing Barthis of the situation brewing in Lithar when she left, the two travelers finally arrive at the Hog's Heart Inn.

Taking rest and shelter in this infamous roadside inn, the two actually partake of comforts long unused in their recent travels.  As they settle in, Barthis almost opens up to the Mountainlord but is quickly cut off with the appearance of the inn owner, Iereas.  Fiona, seeming to recognize something of the man from an episode in Edilar, quickly resumes conversation but is obviously not paying much attention to her comrade, rather she inspects the massive owner and the people who enter the common room with him.

[DMGralbor]

IC Dates: 4/17-22/734
Location: Hilltown Forge, Lithar

PCs: Missy, Muninn, Rix
NPCs: Natanu, Ron

Synopsis:
Battle of Hilltown Forge

Encouraged by their successful defense of Meminshire, the Rebel leaders are prideful and confident in their abilities to press their interests on the King. Taking stock of their casaulties, the Rebels decide to move on Hilltown immediately knowing that the Hawks are also drastically hurt. During this battle outside the plains of Hilltown Forge, though, the Rebels run into a series of problems and lose the battle.  As the battle wages on, the soldiers of the Rebels quickly fall into disarray as apparent Hawk infiltrators begin to work their way through the ranks from within.  Of those to fall, Rix receives a semi-serious wound when Ron shows his true colors as an Order soldier and takes Rix's hand off.  In retaliation, Muninn and Rix both strike Ron down, then take charge of a group of Rebel soldiers fleeing from the battlefield.

Routed from the field of battle, but still not out of action, many soldiers take to the various leaders rather than the Barons, and begin plans of harrying Hawk trade lanes.  Meanwhile, Natanu and Missy strike an accord to move in coordination, creating a tenuous alliance of chaos and power.

[DMGralbor]

IC Dates: 4/24/734
Location: Lithar

PCs: Muninn and Rix

Synopsis:
Moving away from the battlefield of Hilltown, the two mercenaries lead a band of soldiers around to establish a base of operations for their intended continuation of raiding.  Setting up shop, the mercenaries are now out for plunder since they no longer are directly employed.  Choosing to work on the trade routes coming and going from around Hilltown, the mercs engage in a semi-successful raid on one of the King's tax collectors.  Losing only one man in the process, the raiders return to their base, satisfied in their first successful independent action.

[DMGralbor]

IC Dates: 5/8/734
Location: Lithar

PCs: Muninn, Missy and Rix

Synopsis:
Continuing their raids on the various caravans and merchant trains, the two mercenaries received an unexpected visit from a certain female.  Being directed to concentrate their efforts closer to Hilltown, the mercs most over to start intercepting trade between Hilltown and Hush.

[DMGralbor]

IC Dates: 5/14/734
Location: Lithar

PCs: Muninn and Rix
NPC: "Wolf"

Synopsis:
Contacting the two mercenaries and their force of brigands, the shadowed figure "Wolf" provides the brigands with information of an impending patrol unit coming up to Hilltown in the next few days from the south.  Not trusting the source, "Wolf" provides information as to an unguarded shipment disguised in the form of Celenian aid troupe.  Hitting the troupe and discovering the information to be true, the brigands await the upcoming patrol.

[DMGralbor]

IC Dates: 5/16/734
Location: Lithar

PCs: Muninn, Natoiln and Rix
NPCs: Sgt. Jahnsehn

Synopsis:
Spotting several patrols moving across the landscape over the past two days after being visited by their new employer, the two mercenary leaders pick a few spots to hit in an attempt to setup the anticipated patrol that they are being payed to atttack.

During a skirmish with a second patrol which came upon them during their initial attack, the brigands lost three of their people to the surprise attack.  Falling to Sgt. Jahnsehn's blade, the former blacksmith turned soldier, Natoiln, managed to at least sacrifice himself in an effort that resulted in a fortuitous find for the brigands: a courier message to the King of Lithar and his son Tycho requesting additional aid be sent to the Rawleyville and Crossmill to reinforce from what seems to be infiltrating gnolls and flinds from the west.  Along with the message was a list of resources available to the Fairingtown garrison and remaining outposts.

[DMGralbor]

IC Date: 6/20/734
Location: Cross Way, Lithar

PCs: Arianrhod, Sierra, and Kireiko
NPCs: Kadrac, Jeb and Jace

Synopsis:
Coming across a woman who doesn't seem to understand the language of the men around her, Ari steps in to intervene.  As a result, some of the brigands come after her the same time they attack Kireiko.  Through a combination of incredible weapons handling, the brigands are finally halted and Sierra joins the rest of the group after the fighting.

The first problem of the encounter happens, not merely with combat, but the fact that the young woman who was the attention of the men cannot speak Common.  After quite a bit of effort, though, the women manage to find common ground (bastard mann) and the test of linguistics begins.

During their journey to the closest village, Crossmill, the women begin to at least grasp a rudimentary understanding of each other's language and a minor ability to communicate is created.  During their travel, though, they have to halt for a happenstance of Ari's condition.

Arriving at Crossmill just after sundown, the three discover that they have no monetary means of which to pay for room and board.  Singing and performing poetry for their supper, Sierra entertains three men in the tavern who willingly surrender enough money to cover the expenses for the completely abnormal sight passing through their dreary and boring backwater village.

Treasure: Just enough to cover food and room for one night
Group Casualties: Kireiko (minor wounds)
Monsters Defeated: Several brigands

[DMGralbor]

IC Dates: 5/20/734
Location: Lithar

PCs: Muninn and Rix

Synopsis:
In an attempt to gather more men and supplies, the group of brigands enter the small village of Crossmill.  Finding almost no one but farmers, their children, and a wornout innkeeper the group stays the night.  Getting rowdy with the barmaid, the innkeep demands the men leave.  Getting into a fight with the farmers attempting to defend the barmaid, the group of bandits tear the place apart and steal off with food, drink and some of the innkeeper's money.

[DMGralbor]

IC Dates: 5/25/734
Location: Lithar

PCs: Muninn and Rix

Synopsis:
Having ruined their welcome in Crossmill, the band of brigands sets their sites further south hoping to catch merchant traffic moving between the trade baron cities and the West.

Ambushing a caravan, though, proves deadly for almost the entire group and only four members make it out alive or uncaptured.  Rix, already down one arm, is captured by the caravan and held at their camp along with two other brigands.

[DMGralbor]

C Dates: 6/03/734
Location: Lithar

PCs: Muninn and Rix

Synopsis:
Captured and intended for travel back into Lithar to answer for his crimes of brigandry, Rix waited in his cage.  Outmanned and under-armed for any effective rescue effort, Muninn brings his few men with him in an effort to either save or slay his captured men.

Effectively getting past the sentries, the small group sneak into camp under cover of night, but soon find that it is a trap itself.  Keeping his promise to his captured comrade, Muninn manages to make it to Rix's cage and provide the only salvation any criminal can hope for: release from imprisonment and conviction.  Escaping into the night, Muninn flees into the west looking to get lost in the Coalition countryside.

Casualties: Lots of NPCs and Rix