Session V: Wyvern Tor
General Summary
The Cragmaw Four set out on the Triboar Trail along with one of the caravans delivering bulk ore from the Phandalin Miner's Exchange to Triboar and beyond. Disguised as traveling merchants and clerks so as not to arouse the suspicion of any scouts that might be observing them on the way, they kept their weapons and gear on board the wagons where it would be close at hand in case anyone tried to attack the wagon train en route.
Hobgoblin Encounter (Random Nightly Encounter)
They didn't have to wait long. A group of Hobgoblin scouts attacked the wagons during a bridge crossing, forcing the adventurers to dismount from the wagons, shed their disguises and repel the creatures. Oddly enough, the hobgoblins seemed to recognize the party once they had stripped off their disguises, with one going so far as to exclaim that they were the ones "The Black Spider is looking for". Once it seemed like the fight wasn't going to go their way and several of their number had been slain, the lone remaining Hobgoblin made a run for it. Ahmlodi Raziz Al-Tasir managed to land a Grease grenade out in front of the Goblin's path, which stalled the unfortunate goblinoid for long enough to Westris Urogar to get close enough for grappling. After a brief, if comedic, grease-wrestling match where the two took turns grabbing onto one another then falling back down, the hobgoblin was restrained and the group set about questioning it as to the location of the nearby orcs. Intimidation got him to reveal the details of the Many Arrows Tribes' encampment and force disposition. After dispatching the creature, they proceeded to follow the directions, accompanying the wagon train further down the trail until they'd arrived at Wyvern Tor itself, where they stopped and dismounted once again.Many Arrows Tribe at Wyvern Tor
With directions from the Hobgoblin that they had captured, the party was able to locate the path they were looking for leading up some cliff faces and ridges to the side of Wyvern Tor. Sneaking around ahead of the party to avoid detection, Norril Kevros attempted to surprise the lone orc standing guard outside the cave the Many Arrows tribe called home, but wasn't able to inflict lethal damage with the attack. After roaring loud enough to warn his tribemates, he responded by forcefully heaving a Javelin at the half-elf, which landed in his shoulder and marked the first of several wounds he'd suffer over the remainder of the engagement. The full complement of Orcs that had been staying in the cavern alerted, they (along with Gog the ogre and their leader Brughor Axe-Biter) barreled out of the cave and toward the party, over another ridge separating the party from the cavern. Fighting quickly took a turn for the worse for the erstwhile adventurers as Norril--closest to the cavern entrance at the time--was surrounded by orcs. The sheer force carried by the swings of Gog's club quickly overwhelmed him, and he was knocked out by a crushing blow that left one of his eyes a jellied mush hanging from one of the club's numerous improvised spikes. Westris was knocked out soon afterward after standing toe to toe with Gog and delivering a few impressive strikes of his own, though this left only Ahmlodi and Mischief still conscious and drawing the Many Arrows' attention. Norril's companion wolf Shadow fell shortly therafter. Mischief darted in and out of the spaces between them, her practiced footwork allowing her the freedom to move and strike without leaving any openings for the orks to punish her movement. Standing alongside their Eldritch Cannon and pinned in place by several Orcs, Ahmlodi delivered volley after volley of Firebolt and Force Cannon into the group. Seeing that things were getting worse (and fast), Mischief, took off into the cave in search of the music box that she'd been told could put the ogre to sleep, key to a chest in hand from Axe-Biter's fallen body. Ahmlodi was able to manuever Jeeves close enough to Shadow for it to deliver Spare the Dyingto the doggo and stabilize it. Westris awoke from his stupor shortly thereafter, and roared with his second wind, even as he'd sustained crushing internal injuries from the blow that had knocked him down. Norril then managed to recover as well, and pinned Gog down with an Ensnaring Strike. Finally, in a moment suitable for a tapestry, Westris saw an opportunity and thrust his greatsword up at the beast while it was fighting against its restraints, managing to impale its skull upwards through the jaw and land a killing blow. The remainder of the Orcs were dispatched with relative ease thereafter with their heavy support gone.Return To Phandalin
Thoroughly bloodied by their battle, the party bade the caravan good luck on the rest of their journey, which was now able to pass unmolested the rest of the way to Triboar. Ahmlodi, carrying Barnaby's remnants (or, at least, the major pieces that could all be scooped up into a burlap bag) with Jeeves' aid, returned to the Stonehill Inn & Tavern to work on bringing the out-of-commission Eldritch Cannon back to a functional state. Norril went to the city outskirts and set up to a target to improve his aim with his new disability, while Westris Urogar set out about the town for some shopping and discussion with the townspeople. He spoke to Daran Edermath, Quillen Alderleaf, and Sister Graele, gathering information and seeking some feed for his new horse, Brego. He also spoke with Halia over at the Phandalin Miner's Exchange, who came off as rather suspicious during the exchange, making the Dragonborn take note of the design of an odd pin he noticed on her desk.Rewards Granted
- 1500 XP
- 3x Perfume vials
- 172 gold from Harbin Wester
- Gold proceeds from loot
- Goodnight Carillon, an enchanted music box and the only thing capable of rendering Gog docile.
Missions/Quests Completed
- Orcs at Wyvern Tor: Discover and eradicate the Many Arrows tribe of Orcs harassing traffic and homesteads on the Triboar Trail. (Harbin Wester)
Character(s) interacted with
- Harbin Wester: Gave rewards for clearing out the goblins. Impressed by the
- Grease-wrestled Hobgoblin: Revealed the particulars of the Many Arrows tribe of Orcs in Wyvern Tor relative to the characters' current position at the time. (Protip: Should have asked him about The Black Spider they were saying earlier wanted the party members!)
- Halia at the Phandalin Miner's Exchange: Congratulated the party on getting rid of the Redbrands, but came off as suspicious in her request that they hand over correspondence recovered from Glassstaff's workshop and office.
- Qillene Alderleaf at Alderleaf Farm: Directed the party to Thundertree Ruins to seek out the druid Reidroth for advanced healing and for direction to Wave Echo Cave or Cragmaw Castle.
- Daran Edermath at Edermath Orchard: Told the party about the Order of the Gauntlet, as a retired member; after Westris expressed interest in joining its ranks, Daran informed him that if he wished to join, he should seek out the nearby Old Owl Well and investigate reports of undead creatures that have been driving off prospectors in the area.
- Sister Garaele at the Shrine of Luck: Also directed Westris to Thundertree Ruins to speak with Reidroth if the characters need healing.
Notes
Some members of the party took grievous injuries during the battle with the Many Arrows Orcs. (Lingering Injuries are rolled upon hitting 0 HP or below).
