Loose Threads: Republican forces remain a threat to outlying independent settlements. The Republic's mechanized armor and firepower brought back to First Landing still needs to be studied.
Participants: Kodzak, Ariana Yaxiri, Cornix the Beaker, Jirel Flyr
Locations: Ruined Gnoll Village, Unekawa's Reach, Roanokae Camp, Unexplored Continent
Short summary:
Four adventurers go on an incredible journey of self-discovery to help a bird bring home mechanized battle armour.
Full report:
I admit that my goals did not entirely align with those of the Tengu Cornix the Beaker, but if our efforts served a greater purpose then I am satisfied. Ariana Yaxiri and I joined with the alchemist Cornix the Beaker and scout Jirel Flyr, responding to a call for assistance in aiding refugees fleeing hostilities between the Horde and the Republic upon the newly-discovered Continent. In truth, the mission was a simple justification to investigate the wildlife to be found across the sea. I am searching for a suitable mount, but have yet to find any signs of reptilian megafauna in this world. No evidence could be found upon this quest, so I will say nothing further of it here.
Our party set off on an uneventful journey to the Elemental Portal Shrine. Despite a moment of confusion over how the mechanisms of enabling different portals functioned, we crossed over to our destination without any difficulties. From there, Cornix led us to the Roanokae Refugee Camp that he had previously made contact with in order to provide them with aid. We were confronted immediately by a fierce looking Catfolk by the name of Ajan, and we quickly established a rapport communicating via a mixture of the Sylvan and Draconic tongues. They painted a rather grim picture for the state of the border between Horde and the Republic. The latter especially had been besieging outlying settlements and pillaging their supplies, leaving the dead and gutted homes in their wake. With winter quickly approaching, Ajan wagered that they would not be able to handle both an influx of refugees and decrease in supplies to their camp, so we set out to discourage additional forays by the Republic.
With little more than a direction to go on, we traveled westward over the next two days. Our first challenge came from a less expected venue - a pair of Hill Giants springing an ambush upon us as we travelled the road though arid, mountainous terrain. Undoubtedly they expected a convoy of refugees, because they attempted to flee as soon as the skirmish went against them. Still, we ran them down.
That night, we camped near a place that made a horrific noise. Cornix has taken to calling the “Whistle-Crags,” and I strongly advise any parties avoid camping near them when the wind is blowing over them. Jirel and I awoke the next day fatigued, as if neither of us had slept at all.
That morning, we saw the first signs of conflict in the distance. We quickly followed the rising plumes of smoke and distant booms on the horizon, and came upon a township under siege. After dispatching a pair of brigands and their dogs in the neighboring fields, we met up with a Gnoll militia commander that went by the name of Raket. He appraised us of the situation - an overwhelming force of Republic soldiers were in the midst of storming their town, and the defenders were attempting to buy time for the evacuation of the townspeople and all the supplies they could get their hands on. Thus, we went into action preventing the beleaguered Gnollish garrison from being overwhelmed, saving who we could and cutting down the Goblins and Bugbears that were driving them back. Still, it was not enough. The foe seemed to have an inexhaustible number of reinforcements, and we were few in number.
The situation changed once the evacuation was completed, and our party fought as rearguard for the retreating train of carts hauling supplies. The Republic captain leading the assault chose that moment to lead their own assault, spearheaded by a pair of Bugbears encased in some manner of steam-powered mechanical suits of steel. They each wielded a pair of flame-throwers that complemented the firearms of their compatriots well, and we had taken to calling them Spitters. They were fearsome foes, capable of moving forward in great steam-powered leaps, while assaulting the carts themselves with streams of fire. However, it was not long before their weaknesses became apparent. Riding upon the steam packs of these metal monsters were pairs of Goblins tasked with maintaining the steam output and regulating the usage of their abilities. As my fellow adventurers cleared the Spitters of their passengers, they became vulnerable to critical attacks targeting their steam vents. They went down quickly after that, and the Bugbear ‘pilots’ were unable to fend for themselves while encased in their non-functioning machinery. The captain, seeing their advance stymied, attempted to fall back to the Republic line in the center of the town. As the rest of us escorted the carts away, Cornix displayed a great measure of both courage and foolhardiness by pursuing the captain’s death on his own initiative. Thankfully, he was successful. The Republic force was shaken in their sudden reversal, and we were able to retrieve both the Tengu and one of the disabled examples of the Spitters that we had fought.
Upon returning to the refugee camp several days later, we were greeted again by Ajan. Though we were unable to save the town, we were informed that the supplies that came along with the influx of Gnolls fleeing the war would be sufficient for them to last the winter. Shortly thereafter we began the trek back to First Landing with the prize in tow.
- Kodzak