Session 5: The Hills Are Alive With the Sound of Murder

General Summary

The lone survivor of the attack told Rafferty that the attack only took place about an hour's walk from Ullford along the Capital Road. With this information, the group head off and quickly find the site. It appears the bandits acquired the cart as a whole as there are wheel grooves and hoof marks that stop on the road then lead off into the sparse roadside woods. They also discover the body of the poor survivor's co-cart driver carefully hidden behind a tree so that casual passersby would be unlikely to spot it.
The tracks lead all the way out to the Ullford Hills, where the exposed ground is drier and the tracks disappear. With waning light and only a small-ish hut in their vicinity, the group decided to check the hut as possible overnight cover. However, on approach, it seems the hut is occupied but a careful inspection finds no traps, so Falco knocks on the door.
The door is answer by a large individual, a Firbolg by the name of Daehorn. There also appears to be another visitor. An ambiguously gendered Half-elf that introduces themselves as Leo. Daehorn is a woodcarver by trade it seems, judging by the vast quantity of carved wooden furniture in his abode. It also become quickly apparent that Daehorn isn't accustomed to visitors, let alone five. The group ask him about potential bandits but Daehorn states he may have to sleep on it.
In the morning, Falco awoke outside to strong winds, much stronger than the day before. Inside, Soldunn was the last to wake, somehow everyone, including the 7ft Firbolg managed to navigate the cluttered hut without stirring the dwarf. Daehorn informed them that whilst he does not have a good concept of the passage of time, he does remember seeing some activity to the north of here. He also told Leo that someone matching the description of who they're looking for did pass through some time ago, how long ago, he is unsure.
The group, with Leo joining them, travelled northwards, the wind growing into a heft gale as they do. Around midday, they crested a hill and spotted a camp. Approaching the camp, Falco and Leo attempted to pass themselves off as roaming missionaries of Essina. It did not work. The guards also were alert to the flanking Soldunn & Jraxler. The situation quickly escalated into a fight. The poor guards were dispatched relatively quickly, however, the rest of the bandit group proved tougher fare. A dwarf barbarian, later identified as Thovald, took numerous hits without even flinching. The barbarian nearly brought Zeth'rim down with two swings of his great-axe, but thankfully Falco was alert to the situation and managed to heal his wounds before they became grave. Meanwhile, Jraxler kept having arrows fly at him from an unknown source, one of which embedded into his side. A female elven spellcaster seemed to continue the group's good luck at avoiding spells, much to her frustration. A well timed Gust of Wind from Leo separated the warhammer-wielding human bandit member from joining the fray, but also caught Soldunn. However, this proved fortuitous as the slid him directly next to the hidden archer that had been plaguing Jraxler until now. Now revealed, the Gnomish individual ran from Soldunn, attempted to stab Jraxler instead but failed and ended up taking serious damage himself instead. With the dwarf being worn down, the gnome decided it might be wiser to flee instead... and did. Seeing that two of their members were weakened, and their guards dead and another blown off course, the spellcaster fled too. The human, still caught in the wind, joined his compatriots in the retreat. However, the strong winds, on top the already existing gale meant that Thovald could not hear the order to retreat and instead ended up being knocked unconscious and tied up by the group.
It was at this point, another guard exited a different tent, apparently having slept through the entire fight, and after taking a quick survey of the area, immediately fled.
Now calmed down, Leo took a moment to look closer at the bandits and believes that they may be part of the group known as the Woodland Raiders. Meanwhile, Falco finally checked the cart in the camp and discovered that it does indeed contain the stolen Dancing Fire, which was a relief.

Report Date

12 Oct 2018