Session 027 Out of Burzyn and into Laranians

• The party goes to Sabalyne Common to check out the caravan market. They play silly games for stupid prizes, while Askelon chats with Ashkel about the possibility of establishing a new trade business (see PC notes). They bob for apples and purchase hard apple cider with cinnamon. Faelon buys two 1.5L bottles of hard apple cider. They return to the Blue Horse Inn.
• Askelon shares his conversation with Ashkel. He asks the team if they would be willing to cut west so they can go to Ulfshafen. He pulls out the map of the Genin Trail and shows them that they can cut west across the north end of Setha Heath to the mouth of the Shomos River. If they follow the Shomos it will empty into the Kald River just north of Ulfshafen. They can signal from there to get a Sindarin boat to pick them up. Hjalgrimm is hesitant but will do this for a friend. Rook recalls what he knows about the Setha Heath. They talk about the dangers of the Pagaelin, and the need to keep themselves not easily seen. When they leave Ulfshafen they can take the Kald north, but not all of the way. There are the Telume Falls in the way, just northeast of where the Wend River joins the Kald River. The group decides that it would be prudent to purchase some tradable goods in case they run into Pagaelin on the way. They purchase 50gp worth of short swords, spears, light armor, and various blacksmithed articles.

NOLUS 7

• In the morning the party leaves for the Genin Trail, traveling north. Weyliri and Rhyna join them, with some of the gear carried on Rhyna's mule. 
• Just as the sun is beginning to set they spy a ruined inn ahead. About that time Askelon hears Kenryst Gelarhun in his head - "Warning, a group of Laranians left about two hours behind you, heading north. We think they have been watching you." Askelon asked "How many, what composition?" Kenryst replies "Six, knights and clerics, on horse, led by a paladin who was watching you at the King's Feast."
• The party takes positions at the ruined inn, with Askelon perched at the top of a stairwell (to the missing second floor), Rhyna and Weyliri behind cover of the east wall with Faelon, and with Hjalgrimm pretending to hold Rook, dressed in the stolen Laranian vestments, hostage. The hear and then see the Laranian squad approaching on horseback. When the Laranians see the inn, the leader holds up a fist and they stop. He motions them forward, slowly. Hjalgrimm steps out and tells "Stay back or I'll end your worthless cleric right here." After a moment, the leader seems to decide it is a ploy, and he motions his team to recover the hostage and kill the rest.

INITIATIVE!

• The Laranians advance up to the southern, crumbled wall of the inn and dismount, casting Bless and Protection from Evil on themselves. It appears that they have made preparations for this group. Hjalgrimm and Rook retreat behind the eastern wall near Faelon. As the first Laranian paladin steps through the opening he is assailed by Rook, Hjalgrimm, and Faelon. A paladin and cleric approach the party from the other side of the wall to flank them. Rhyna joins in. 
• Askelon fails to connect with a Chromatic Orb. He does this three times during the fight, and is very upset with himself. Despite having excellent position, Rook finds it difficult to connect with his daggers. It is the Protection, as he is Fey. Faelon does not fare well with Dragon, but is brutal with his unarmed attacks. Rhyna is the only one who takes any serious damage.
• Fairly quickly, four of the Laranians are down, and their Bless spells are also gone. The Laranian leader signals retreat. Hjalgrimm chops the legs out from under the cleric's horse, and she is dead by the time she hits the ground, having been sliced badly by Rook. Rhyna tackles the leader Paladin and he hits the ground.