Before the party could delve deeper into examining their carriage's situation, a quartet of mounted soldiers clad in vibrant green tabards suddenly appeared on the scene, signifying that they were soldiers of the Greenfield barony. They inquired about the commotion and extended a generous offer to transport the carriage to the nearby town of Falktown. Additionally, they mentioned a temporary refugee camp further down the road, where they could find shelter. The party, appreciating the assistance, accepted the soldiers' offer. Two of the mounted soldiers departed to escort the carriage to Falktown, while the remaining soldiers guided the party to the nearby refugee camp for the time being.
The Attack On The Refugee Camp
Meanwhile, within the camp, Bartimaeus focused his attention on the commanding soldier and inquired about the apparent presence of soldiers in the camp who seemed more like armed peasants. In a bold move, he proposed a duel in exchange for a horse, prompting the Sergeant to summon one of these men, who went by the name Billy. Billy accepted the challenge, but Bartimaeus swiftly displayed his formidable swordsmanship skills. Honoring his word, the Sergeant promised Bartimaeus a horse, and as Billy rose to express his gratitude, tragedy struck when a crossbow bolt struck him in the eye, resulting in his immediate demise.
Chaos erupted in the camp as panic spread. The armed soldiers and the Sergeant swiftly formed a defensive battle line, while the rest of the party assumed defensive positions to confront the imminent threat. It became evident that a hostile company from the Dominus Chain was charging the camp. While the refugees sought safety by fleeing, the party and soldiers successfully held off the approaching enemy.
In the midst of the intense battle, one of the armed peasants broke ranks and fled, causing a momentary disruption in the defense line. The Sergeant joined Bartimaeus on the frontlines, while the others took careful aim from a distance. As the party systematically eliminated the Dominus soldiers one by one, a sudden wall of fire materialized, creating a barrier that obscured the vision of everyone present.
Summerwind's Introduction
The sergeant gave orders for the Party to withdraw to protect the others, but Bartimaeus defied the command and insisted that the sergeant lead his men to safety. After some persuasion, the sergeant agreed and retreated with his soldiers. Meanwhile, an unfamiliar high elf lady approached their camp, seemingly focused on a specific target. However, her plans were disrupted when Mary, who had recently discovered her telekinetic powers, managed to knock her off her horse. While the rest of the party engaged the oncoming Dominus soldiers charging their camp, Bartimaeus charged at the Elf Commander with newfound determination.
Challenging her, Bartimaeus soon realized he was severely outmatched. Amelia transformed into her beastial form and joined the fray, biting the Elf Commander. Mary also rushed forward, but as the Party began to surround the Elf Commander, she revealed her divine power by enveloping herself in radiant fire. Mary was struck and fell unconscious, but Bartimaeus quickly healed her. Amelia picked her up and, in the blink of an eye, carried her to safety.
Bartimaeus held his position as the rest of the Dominus soldiers were dispatched by the Party. Varis rushed to assist Bartimaeus, and the gravity of the situation finally dawned on him. He urgently ordered everyone to retreat. Just then, one of the peasant soldiers who had previously fled returned, dropping his weapons and revealing an amulet from his chest, which he broke. This triggered the ground to split open, and a formidable magma elemental emerged in the soldier's place. The Elf Commander realized she had found what she was looking for, but Varis stood before her.
She struck at Varis with her sword, nearly taking him down, but he turned invisible in an attempt to escape to safety. Unbeknownst to him, she possessed keen senses and struck him as he made his way over to Bartimaeus. One by one, they managed to retreat to safety, with the Elf Commander's attention now firmly fixed on the "unholy" magma elemental. The Party fled and tended to their wounds as they headed down the road, the distant outline of Falktown on the horizon.
Entering Falktown
The group reached the quaint village of Falktown, their energy depleted from their recent skirmish. In their haste, they wasted no time in locating the closest inn, yearning for rest and rejuvenating hot baths. Simultaneously, a few members of their party were drawn to a nearby bulletin board, where a notice piqued their interest.
It offered a reward for the capture of Bartimaeus, triggering a sense of urgency. The other announcement mentioned an ongoing inquiry into the enigmatic "Grail Knights." Bartimaeus couldn't help but entertain the notion that he might not be the sole survivor of his once numerous comrades. However, some members of the group humorously reminded him that perhaps his penchant for sharing tales had led to this turn of events.
In addition, they noticed a poster advertising an upcoming Top Hound Championship in a neighboring town, promising a lucrative reward. Despite this enticing opportunity and other job offers on the notice board, the group chose to explore the quaint little town and replenish their supplies.
Gathering Supplies
It became apparent that this town was quite diminutive, with the focal point being the general store, managed by a group of dwarves. In their shopping spree, Amelia acquired healing potions and high-quality arrows, Keira selected some elegant attire, and Aislinne purchased a book on the Legends of Windelcrest to further her dragon studies. Varis made a peculiar purchase, acquiring basic makeup and a wig for Bartimaeus, but for himself, he inquired about the recently introduced black powder weapons. The dwarf shopkeeper made a note of Varis's request and assured him they would have it in stock soon.
Subsequently, the dwarf attempted to engage Varis in a covert deal to procure these new weapons, with a veiled implication of criminal involvement. The dwarf disclosed that the local Lord had recently acquired similar weapons and was training local soldiers to use them. He claimed he could obtain one for Varis, albeit at a substantial upfront cost due to the associated risks. Varis couldn't resist the allure of these weapons and eagerly looked forward to obtaining one.
Sergeant Kortess
Eventually, the party regrouped to inspect the stables. However, Bartimaeus had assumed a different appearance and went by the alias "Tom." The Knights guarding the stable entrance were initially skeptical of his identity. Yet, before they could unmask him, a familiar voice vouched for his association with the party. It was the Sergeant from the encampment, swiftly diffusing the Knights' suspicions and granting them access to retrieve their belongings. However, the Sergeant couldn't help but grow curious about Bartimaeus' peculiar disguise. The party reassured him that there was a valid reason, and they proceeded towards the stables.
Upon entering the stables, they encountered a small contingent of heavily armored knights, accompanied by a healer and a unique, wingless creature resembling a smaller Griffin. Varis promptly began sketching the creature, despite the Sergeant's warning not to disturb them. Varis made his intentions clear to the creature's owner, and he requested to view the finished artwork before departing. One of the knights waited for Varis to complete his work and then delivered it to the group's leader, who subsequently led the creature out of the stables.
The Sergeant showed Bartimaeus several of the horses in the stable and offered to help him acquire a second horse for the party, as he was indebted to them for saving his life. He also proposed taking the horse to the local Lord, whom they had just met with the Knights, a man named Nikolay Von Keiner. The Sergeant suggested that he could advocate for the party and seek a potential reward since they were running low on funds. Bartimaeus expressed his gratitude to the Sergeant and inquired about his name, which turned out to be Samuel Kortess. In return, Samuel proposed having a drink with Bartimaeus in the evening when he would share the information he had gathered.
The Orc Paladin
While Varis was exploring the stables, he stumbled upon an unattended hammer, and decided to claim it for himself. As he ventured deeper into the stables, the sound of clanging metal plates reached his ears, leading him to spot a familiar face. In one of the stalls, a heavily armored orc, bearing the sigils of the Church, caught Varis's attention.
Varis approached the orc and mentioned that they had crossed paths before, though the orc appeared somewhat uncertain, not denying the possibility as he had encountered many during his travels. Curiosity piqued, Varis began to inquire about the orc's purpose in town and his involvement with the Church, eliciting some suspicion from the orc. However, the answers he received were either brief or deliberately vague.
It came to light that the orc had journeyed ahead of the company he currently accompanied, simply referred to as the "11th," and they were en route to Hillburg to establish a new stronghold. Varis also learned that the rest of the Church company would be passing through Falktown later in the evening. Grateful for the information, Varis thanked the orc for his time and hastily made his way to share this newfound knowledge with Bartimaeus and the rest of their group.
Time At The Tavern
The party gathered to discuss their plans. Some suggested leaving town temporarily to complete one of the available jobs posted on the bulletin board and waiting until the Church's forces had moved through Falktown. Others felt that staying at the local inn would suffice. In the end, they decided to visit a nearby bar and playfully teased Bartimaeus about his "date" with Samuel.
At the bar, they ordered drinks to ease their anxiety about the impending events. Amelia, in particular, opted for strong beverages and ended up getting quite drunk at a separate table, while the rest of the group settled near the entertainment stage to discuss their options. They questioned Bartimaeus's proposal to act as "bait" for the bounty on his head to earn some quick gold. In the end, they utilized a magical orb to gain an advantage for future challenges.
Meanwhile, Samuel arrived, dressed casually, and shared a drink with Bartimaeus. He informed him that he had successfully negotiated a deal with another Knight for a secondary horse, which would cost him 80 gold. Bartimaeus found this price reasonable. Samuel also revealed that the group had been granted a private audience with the local Lord later in the evening.
As the party relaxed and enjoyed their free time, the evening began to descend over Falktown, setting the stage for a series of events that were about to unfold.
Entering The Lord's Manor
The party continued their evening at the tavern, where Amelia indulged in a potent drink and Bartimaeus was in the company of Samuel, nearing the end of his own beverage. Their night took an unexpected turn when a local soldier entered the tavern, urgently beckoning Samuel away from his drink. Duty called, as there had been reports of a robbery that required investigation.
Samuel suggested they mention their audience with the Lord to the other soldiers and knights to facilitate their passage. With preparations complete, they assembled and managed to smoothly navigate past the vigilant guards, thanks to Samuel's adept notice. Upon reaching the Manor grounds, they were introduced to recruits armed with new black powder weapons. Just as they were about to approach, a soldier guided them up to the Manor itself, where they were to meet the Lord.
Outside the Manor, they encountered Lord Nikolay Von Keiner, who welcomed them warmly but requested further conversation inside as he needed to change out of his armor. While they waited for Lord Nikolay to return in more casual attire, two strangers entered the Manor. An elderly man in a mechanized wheelchair and a dwarf engineer. Initially, the dwarf voiced suspicions about the party's involvement in the reported robbery, but the elderly man held a different perspective.
They explained that the robbery was connected to the new firearms and needed to be addressed. Keira, spotting the dwarf's weapon in his backpack, inquired if he was the manufacturer. The dwarf clarified that he wasn't the creator but rather someone who tinkered and improved upon the Lord's imports from the Vache Kingdom.
As Varis introduced himself to the two newcomers, the elderly man, Stefan Riverton, became intrigued, and their conversation revolved around the firearms. However, Varis noticed something peculiar about the man's wheelchair. The elderly man subtly indicated that they knew each other, though this was their first face-to-face encounter. He mentioned the "Network" casually, but Varis quickly hushed him, leading to an awkward exchange between them. They exchanged thanks, wished each other a good day, and went their separate ways.
As Stefan and the dwarf departed, Lord Nikolay returned in more refined attire. The party was surprised by his transformation now that they saw his unarmored face. Nevertheless, Lord Nikolay expressed his gratitude to the party for rescuing the refugees and Samuel.
The Lord's Ally
As Nikolay prepared to discuss the reward, a resounding knock echoed through the door. Startled by the unexpected arrival, he quickly ushered the party into a concealed storage room adjacent to the hallway. After locking the door securely, he opened the front door to find a knight standing there, bearing news of the early arrival of the Church delegation.
Meanwhile, Mary strained to eavesdrop on the conversation and gleaned some understanding of the situation. The Elf Commander, whom they had encountered before, stormed into the hallway, interrogating Nikolay about the party. He feigned ignorance, attributing his preoccupation to a purported robbery. The Elf Commander, clearly dissatisfied, issued a warning to the Lord and informed him that her men would remain nearby before heading to Hillburg. She left the manor, and shortly after, Nikolay released the party from their hiding place.
The party questioned the Lord about the identity of the Elf Commander, revealed to be Ameena Summerwind, a persistent source of trouble for the Lord. Despite his reservations, he chose not to provoke her further. Bartimaeus shared his thoughts on the Church's actions and asked the Lord about his stance, to which the Lord remained non-committal, emphasizing his commitment to doing what he believed was right. Mary disclosed her affiliation with the Church but expressed her disapproval of their recent methods.
Curious about Mary's connection to the party, Nikolay inquired about her past. She explained her mission, entrusted to her by her Mother Superior, and mentioned an artifact called the "Tears of Enghilm." Initially skeptical, the Lord eventually warmed to the idea, thanks to Mary's persuasion, and expressed a willingness to support her quest for the artifact, believing it could benefit the realm.
The Lord's Gift
Nikolay presented a generous reward in appreciation of their heroic act of rescuing refugees. Following this, he instructed one of his knights to ensure the travelers had the finest provisions for their journey. It was during this conversation that Bartimaeus inquired about the Von Kass lineage. Initially, Nikolay attempted to evade the question, but Bartimaeus eventually revealed his true identity, prompting Nikolay to connect the dots. He then disclosed that he was indeed a descendant of the Von Kass lineage, albeit not the same kind of knight as his ancestor, expressing a desire to maintain his family's new position in the realm.
Shortly thereafter, Nikolay's fiancée joined them in the hallway, where they exchanged greetings. Despite the mistaken belief that she was a Von Keiner, they were to be wed, making her Lady Riverrun. While they engaged in conversation, a knock at the door caught Nikolay's attention. He opened it slightly to investigate and then fully to admit Samuel and an unfamiliar, slender woman with a long firearm strapped to her back. The woman appeared eager to recover her stolen goods, which had been taken during the robbery. Samuel and the woman conducted a brief search and concluded that the perpetrator was likely still in town.
Half of the party eagerly volunteered to assist in the search effort. Amelia's curiosity about the woman's firearm led to some discomfort, but she soon lost interest in the weapon and distanced herself. The woman, visibly irked by the situation, promptly left, while the remaining members of the group, along with Samuel, headed out to investigate.
Upon reaching the town center, where the tracks had been lost, Samuel and the party decided to split up and conduct independent searches. Mary, upon inspecting a pouch provided by the Lord, discovered it contained a substantial sum of platinum coins.
Amelia's Reckless Experiments
The party decided to return to the local Inn, preferring not to stay in the tavern where Church soldiers were present. They convinced Filip Tenner, the Innkeeper, to set up a table for them. While they discussed their plans and enjoyed some delicious cheese toast, Amelia brought up her recent experiments. She offered her new prototype to the group, and Varis and Aislinne volunteered to try it. Varis experienced immediate weakness and inexplicably took another one, which left him exhausted. Aislinne became sick and retired to her room. Amelia also tested the concoction but felt no effects, which puzzled her. She assisted Varis to his room, where he revealed he was expecting a special delivery from a certain Dwarf, a deal that had led to the robbery of Lord's goods.
Later, Amelia left the Inn at night to investigate the town discreetly. She encountered two drunk men between buildings, flirted with them, and then transformed into her wendigo form. She subdued them easily and administered her frightening chimera drug before leaving them to its effects. Meanwhile, Bartimaeus took a night walk to the stable and attempted to summon an old friend, Snow, a magical elk. A soldier entered the stables but, seeing the late hour, decided not to question the presence of such a creature and helped Bartimaeus.
Back at the Inn, Mary was awakened by heavy knocking on her door. She opened it to find a large Orc in Dominion armor. Though skeptical at first, the Orc presented a sigil confirming his affiliation with the Church. He informed her that the Lord Commander of the Dominus Chain himself had ordered her presence. Reluctantly, she gathered her belongings and left with the Orc. Kiera, who had overheard the conversation, decided to follow them, but they left Falktown in a hurry. Kiera returned to the Inn, where she rested and waited for the morning.
Dire Consequences
After a restful night, Kiera awoke to the jarring sound of gunfire echoing through the air. She hastily roused her companions at the Inn and set out to investigate the commotion. Bartimaeus swiftly joined her, and together they encountered a boisterous and enraged crowd of townsfolk at the town center, halted by a line of vigilant soldiers. Bartimaeus approached to inquire about the situation.
A familiar knight recognized Bartimaeus and offered some information. It appeared that mysterious creatures had attacked the townsfolk during the night, but the soldiers had managed to subdue them. The nature of these monsters and how to deal with them remained a puzzle. Bartimaeus asked Kiera to gather the rest of their group, and she promptly returned to the Inn to relay the message. As the party reunited and reached the tumultuous scene, they were granted passage and discovered a gruesome sight – a large pool of blood surrounding a deceased chimera-like creature. Lord Keiner and the Gunner Captain were present, attempting to discern the nature of the threat and its origins.
Lord Keiner proposed a theory that these creatures might be connected to a recent robbery, though the motive behind targeting firearms and subsequently terrorizing civilians remained a perplexing mystery. The monsters bore grotesque features, with canine heads, patches of scales across their bodies, spiky arm protrusions, and menacing talons. Amelia persuaded Lord Keiner to incinerate the corpses as a precaution, as the Lord considered sending them to the Academy for study.
Amidst the chaos, Lord Keiner expressed his condolences, particularly for the loss of Samuel Kortess, who had likely encountered the monsters while searching for the robbers during the night. It remained uncertain whether Samuel had put up a fight or was ambushed. The group recalled a notice they had seen on a nearby farm about a monster targeting livestock, suspecting it might be of the same kind. Lord Keiner agreed and tasked them with investigating the farm while he addressed the town's ongoing turmoil.
Though their concerns for Mary's whereabouts persisted, Kiera reiterated her earlier account of what she had witnessed. Uncertain whether Mary had been taken or had gone willingly, the group decided to prioritize addressing the current crisis before seeking her out.