Defenders of Waymeet? (3 days Play Time)
“You should’ve taken a job in Hillsfar.”
The companions gather round a table in the Fist & Flagon and discuss their intelligence and options for defense of Waymeet.
The reconnaissance suggests a medium-sized raiding party of humanoids led by Red Wizards has been moving south and southwest of the village and is using the odd thatched nest-like contraptions as some sort of waypoint indicators. The information available suggests the group will attack Waymeet from the southern approach likely moving through the area of Barla’s farm.
A lively discussion of how to channel the force into a kill zone with obstacles, and whether the group is a full barbarian horde or a targeted assassination squad resolves somewhere in between, as Thayvians routinely co-opt humanoid groups for their raiding. The track patterns suggest movement of large groups, but they stop and start mysteriously suggesting the use of magic to surreptitiously move. In many points it looks as if they just disappears.
The locals report episodes of trembling as if with a seismic event which is unusual. The only known cave systems are in the area of the sundered chapel to the west and north, but most are considered ruins of the fallen outposts of Cormanthyr.
Faerenal continues to sort and measure the forty or so villagers who responded to Kailute’s call to arms and organizes them in groups according to their experience and weapons familiarity. Kailute gives him initial direction to gather the materials necessary to make construct channeling obstacles in the southern approaches to Barla’s farm in order to have the appropriate groups of sword and spearmen supported by bowmen covering a kill zone.
The half-orc then grabs a horse and he and Shuos ride south to further gather information. Kailute observes a camp area with plenty of refuse that corresponds to the pattern of a group of humanoids moving, large scorch marks and possible giant-sized footprints but the tracks end suddenly.
Quietly Quilro asks DonBrapp how he might conduct a tactical withdrawal, acknowledging that Waymeet and his farm may pay a high price for such a course of action. Another option is proposing a ruse that would indicate the villagers have abandoned Waymeet to draw in any raiders. After detailed discussion it is recognized that the intent is probably revenge upon the Heroes of Waymeet rather than a horde of goblinoids. The dwarf mentions the large amount of sleep potions they have stockpiled and the wine the Barovians are carrying around.
In the sky Quilro sights a scouting party of hobgoblins step through a fiery portal to the south of the village that begin to furtively move north. The elf wheels north to head back to the Fist & Flagon. Below he can see Faerenal directing rolling stock from Nelbin’s wagon yard to create channeling obstacles south of the village.
Recognizing that the party does not have adequate information to plan they consider having DonBrapp call upon Vergadain for an augury of things to come.
“Kailute… how do you feel about magical speed?” Quilro asks glibly. The half-orc’s face turns dark.
“Not.” He responds flatly.
DonBrapp turns to the pile of magical weapons in the cargo wagon as an offering to Vergadain and Bosmos shares the powers of the items he was using to pose as an active druid. Quilro investigates the read leather spellbook he recovered from the wizard the day prior. Barla looks on with amazement as her partner exhibits arcane learning.
Fyrnlocke and Kailute have a sidebar about the relative speed and combat power of blades.
DonBrapp heaves a magical bastard sword into the cauldron Barla provided and flames provide him a vision. Cramped in incredibly an large but cramped underground cavern two bald Thayvian wizards are scrying into a large bonfire in the center of a 50’ x 50’ cave. There are tens of hobgoblins crammed inside with them and the dark blue skinned enormous leg of a fire giant is visible within the scope of the divination. The wizards appear to be using the fire to scry themselves and the object of their intent is the cauldron and the heroes who have taken it from the Zhents. The clothing and accoutraments of the wizards suggest specialties in elemental fire and necromantic magic. Further it is revealed the fire mage is using flames for scrying and transport and they do not yet know the location of the heroes and cauldron.
Pondering the new information the group discusses luring the Thayvian war party by revealing the location of the cauldron.
As the group is discussing preparations to relocate the cauldron Faerenal pokes his head in the wagon.
“Hobgoblins! Sniffing ‘round southern edge of town! Headed southwest.”
Kailute leaps to his feet and grabs his axe, and all save Fyrnlocke pile out of the wagon to mount their horses. They quickly find the path and close with the four hobgoblins.
With Shuos in the lead the party forms a charging wedge as the hobgoblins turn to defend with their curved shortswords.
Kailute lops an arm off one as DonBrapp lowers Buzzkiller and releases a bolt of electrical energy, scorching one of the monsters.
Quilro invokes magical sleep and the defending monsters suddenly snuzzle down into the waving grassland.
In a rare moment of unity Quilro and Kailute agree hobgoblins are lesser creatures as their odor assaults their nostrils.
A hasty interrogation yields belligerent responses that confirm the Thayvians still do not know where the bowl is, and one of the wizards is named Baltazar. The hobgoblins also disclose the use of the thatched totems as fire portals back and forth.
The group becomes almost giddy at the thought of launching a fireball through the portal. Kailute hefts the leading hobgoblin up by his neck and groin and gives DonBrapp a quick nod.
The dwarf lights the totem and immediately a bright flash of flame rips a tear in reality that reveals a portal surrounded by fire floating mid-air. The smell of sulphur and unwashed bodies is almost revolting. Two giants are crammed into a tight cavern and Quilro’s fireballs explode with enormous force, much powerful than his usual casting. DonBrapp levels Buzzkiller for another bolt of lightning. The two wizard’s faces are wracked with fear and amazement until one is blown head over heels and is pummeled against the cavern wall.
An enormous wail of fury and anger is heard as the lightning ball scorches into one of the fire giants before the portal closes.
The group considers its options, focusing on summoning an earth elemental to hurl into the portal and slaughter the monsters and spellcasters in the cavern.
“Let’s get in there!” Quilro screams… “They’re run at the sight of you, and none of those creatures can even strike DonBrapp… LET’S DO THIS!”
The scent of sulfur pierces the air yet again, and another portal opens. Quilro turns invisible and DonBrapp calls forth an elemental form of earth from the ground. Kailute steps to the side and presses his blade to the seam of flame appearing in the sky, but his blade is resisted as if magnetically repelled.
An enormous giant-sized foot emerges, and two humanoid flames of fire come alive drop from the portal as the fire giant pushes through.
“Let’s have this fight…” DonBrapp states grimly.
Kailute swings and connects to the giants leg as the two flame beings lunge at him. One connects with its fiery appendages as a nearly crushing blow of the giant’s enormous sword falls upon the half-orc.
Shuos leaps to bite at the toe of the enormous humanoid.
Noticing the bound hobgoblins Quilro moves toward them with malice as DonBrapp invokes the prayer of Vergadain.
The earth elemental summoned by DonBrapp leers at the giant connecting for bruising strike on the behemoth.
The dwarven cleric unleashes another lightning bolt wracking the fire giant with rage and pain. It shifts its attention to the dwarf and misses.
One of the elements claws at the half-orc, continuing to injure the barbarian.
Quilro slits the throat of the first of the three bound hobgoblins.
Kailute makes a series of attacks, hitting with one and nearly losing his balance with the other.
Pressing the attack a fire elemental claws against the half-orc as Shuos bites at the fire giant.
The elemental tower of earth punches and misses as DonBrapp thrusts his hands into his pack and throws a pile of snakes at the giant, the favor of Vergadain transforming them from sticks to angry venomous reptiles. Several of the venomous serpents find their mark in the giant increasing the fury of the humanoid.
DonBrapp’s magical menagerie continues to attack as he invokes a spell of resistance to fire on the barbarian.
Quilro continues to dispatch the prisoners while keeping alert for any additional portal travelers.
The earth elemental lands a bruising strike on an opposed fire elemental as the snakes crawl over the frothing giant.
The cleric further channels the aid of Vergadain upon Kailute, and Quilro releases several bolts of magical energy that pulse with damage into the fire elemental. Kailute finishes it with a flurry of swings turning it to smoke.
The fire giant finally lands a sword blow on the dwarven cleric as the elf continues to fling magical missiles. The poison compounds the damage to the infuriated giant.
Four missiles streak into the remaining fire elemental and it evaporates.
“Why don’t you fight something your own size!” Screams Kailute grievously wounding the fire giant with two swings of his axe.
Sensing the severity of his wounds DonBrapp reads aloud a scroll of healing.
As a final volley of magic missiles impact the giant it falls to one knee before falling finally as the companions jump out of the dying monster’s way.
“You should’ve taken a job in Hillsfar.” Kailute states.
DonBrapp attempts to bind Kailute’s many wounds as Quilro reads a spell straight from a captured spellbook, determining that magical scrying is indeed occurring.
“I don’t know how you guys feel about this…” DonBrapp proposes animating the fallen giant and sending it back through the portal.
“Do your worst…” Quilro affirms.
DonBrapp passes out potions in preparations prior to withdrawing to seek additional magic from Vergadain.
Kailute attempts to cover the wounds of the fire giant with mud to disguise its undead nature.
“I will go forth, invisible and end this red Thayvian menace.” Quilro says with a flourish as DonBrapp is withdrawn.
As the sun sets DonBrapp lays hands upon the fire giant ripping it back from its eternal rest. A burning resentment remains from beyond but the great beast follows the dwarf’s demands to “murder everything.”
Magically hasted Quilro turns invisible and readies his sword, leaping through the fire portal immediately behind the fire giant. The giant immediately begins to crush hobgoblins.
Stealthily approaching the remaining wizard, Quilro thrusts his sword in the back of the Red Wizard from behind. The human screams in pain and surprise, as a small stampede of hobgoblins seeks to escaped the fury of the undead fire giant.
Quilro unleashes a lightning bolt that explodes a hobgoblin before bouncing around the walls of the area where they are congregated.
Seven magic missiles plunge into the elf.
Back in the grassland dwarf and half-orc discuss how long to wait; after a short time Kailute burns another totem and DonBrapp directs the earth elemental back into. Sensing his chance Quilro jumps back through the bonfire beyond two thrown axes from the barbarian.
As the portal closes the elemental and giant are pummeling and crushing all that remain, including a second fire giant.
“Should we let them fight it out?” DonBrapp proposes.
“The wizard is getting away!” Quilro exclaims in frustration.
Kailute lights yet another totem, and the party leaps into the center of an enormous melee. Two giants locked in wrestling as the earth elemental is dispatching crushing blows among a crowd of hobgoblins seeking to escape to the southwest.
Quilro dons the circlet of true-seeing and scans the cave. To the northwest he sees a covered hole in the bed-down area of the two giants.
Kailute takes his blade to the hamstring of the live giant, hobbling it. The undead fire giant grapples the living hamstrung giant, who falls upon DonBrapp pinning him beneath his massive girth.
Quilro examines the giants hiding place, discovering minor treasures.
As the hobgoblins escape, the melee dies down in the horrifying cries of pain from the crippled giant.
