Session 20230126 Fair Folk on Fair Folk Action
General Summary
Day One, Calendar
Concerned at having to protect such a large group with only four mostly healthy guards (Chak, Big Nose, Lyris and Nightshade) the party assessed the surviving prisoners and armed those they though best suited. Nightshade did a good job of determining skill level, but probably due to exhaustion and other demands on their attention the interviews Bertrum Blumenthal and Lyris conducted left the ex-prisoners with the impression they were checking to see who would be willing to work for the Fair Folk, not defend against them. This would become apparent once they reached Kajeth. mechanics
Day Two
Continued towards Kajeth. The bulk of the organisation and leadership fell on Bertrum, who continued to get insufficient rest.
Day Three
As they entered the outskirts of Kajeth a group of soldiers (Haltan Rangers) approached the caravan to determine their intentions. The armed prisoners went across to talk to them but Bertrum was close enough behind them to hear (much to his surprise) that they were trying to get the caravan staff arrested as puppets of the Fair Folk, and he was able to present an alternate (and true) case that they had rescued all the prisoners at considerable risk to themselves with no thought of reward. This was at least enough to prevent the rangers from doing anything hasty.
An enormous man in fancy plate armour joined the Rangers and asked questions about the attackers, before revealing that their liege the Queen of the Stone Forest had never signed the treaty so they were not bound to only attack people on the ground. However, they were trespassing in an area claimed by Slulura, Lord of the Lower Branches and could be chased away. He removed his helmet (revealing a face human appearing apart from its absolute perfection), introduced himself as Drulgav, Cataphract and Guardian and set about arranging an immediate punitive expedition with rangers and his own hobgoblins (who appeared as various mixes of human and snake). Lyris instantly voluntered to join, Nightshade agreed willingly and Bertrum unwillingly (due to exhaustion and doubt the force was large enough).
Led by Nightshade and some rangers acting as scouts and with a core of three heavy gryphon-drawn chariots (with grab handles that suggest the gryphons can carry them through the air for at least short distances) the group set out. The least martial aspect was Bertrum curled up in Drulgav's charior, asleep. Nightshade noticed that none of the rangers spotted her at any point, even when they probably should have.
As they approached the new location of the identical camp Lyris rushed forwards to create a distraction to pull defenders away from the gate. Which worked depressingly well, leaving him facing one of the Psolgav sentries, a cataphract and 6 hobgoblins. mechanics
Victory ends with the Chevalier and some of his followers captured, the rest dead or fled.
Bertrum asked about the large sword their enemy manifested at the beginning of the fight, Drulgav was pleased for him to take it, since as long a Creation born has it the Chevalier won't be able to summon it. Drulgav removed a standard from the ground and the camp vanished but a single Fair Folk appeared before also being captured. Bertrum recovered his flute and Nightshae looked around for anything else worth looting, then everyone returned to Kajeth
Bertrum's Journal
Dear Journal, Today was a long and exhausting day. After reuniting with the caravan, we continued our journey to the next big town. I was exhausted, having spent the night keeping the rescued prisoners safe from the Fae and travelling at a brisk pace. Upon reaching the town, the town guard came out to meet the caravan and some of the prisoners stepped forward to speak to them. I went up to listen, and I'm glad I did as they were trying to tell the guards that we were spies working for the Fae. I quickly told the guards the full story of how the Fae had attacked our caravan and how I had gone to negotiate the release of our two comrades only to find 30 more prisoners who I rescued. I explained that the Fae had been attacking people in trees, which was against the truce.The leader of the guards, Drulgav, said that the Fae who had attacked us had never signed the truce but were not supposed to be in that area. They began mounting up to go and confront the Chavallier. Despite my protests of exhaustion, I agreed to go along and fight the Fae. I curled up in the front of a large chariot pulled by griffons to get some sleep and arrived at the Fae campsite. Nightshade and Lyris tried to sneak in, but they wound up fighting for their lives against a Cataphract and six hobgoblins. I stuck with Drulgav, who fought the Chavallier. I could not hope to compete with the Chavallier with just my little knife, so I used my loudhailer to distract, insult, and intimidate him while Drulgav battled him. Drulgav was victorious, with my assistance, and he gave me the Chavallier's magical greatsword. He said that if a mortal won the sword in combat, it would be lost to the Chavallier forever, but if Drulgav took it, he would be able to summon it back.
We returned to the city victorious, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of pride in what we had accomplished. I may be exhausted, but I am also proud of what we have achieved and what I have learned. I am excited to see what adventures lie ahead for us. Signed, Bertrum the Manifest Tinkerer of the Road