Session Four: Bandits in Brackenmill

General Summary

- The 21 of Alta -

Yarrow Fermata, Cyrus Danceyboi, and Alabaster Quilcy performed song and dance for the Tipsy Talon Tavern rousing the crowd to join. The young Gallus girl who initiated the performance watched Cyrus closely and as the show ended quickly made her way out of the tavern. Cyrus, curious, pushed through the drunken crowd to follow.

Aldous Brackshaw, having just finished his communications with Reyny Wright about the plans to stop Captain Serra Hyne, went to the tavern to hide and write the new letter to bring out Serra Hyne. Using his best forgery skills as well as Illusory Script Aldous wrote pretending to be Burga.

"Serra Hyne,

Our new leader intends to move forward with operation 'Forge Fire' in the immediate future. However, shifting needs for the Coalition requires modifications to the plan. I do not trust the urgent and confidential nature of this information to writing. Meet with my agents 3 hours after moonrise on the night of the 22 of Alta in the bracken glade 2 miles east of Brackenmill. Bring no more than one trusted ally. Don't be overzealous again. We don't need the whole Perch Guard on our tails if you're tracked, or their suspicion if you escort a large force out of town. I trust you won't fail me.

-Burga"

The Gallus girl walked with surprising confidence down the road. Cyrus was quick to follow with his two inebriated companions. Without looking the girl took a sharp turn down a dark alley. Cyrus followed, suddenly a hand was on his shoulder and a knife was in his gut. In front of him was a female fennec fox dressed in all black, the lower half of her face covered in a dark cloth that reminded Cyrus of his homeland. Down the alleyway the Gallus girl was standing with her arms crossed. Another fennec fox in all black stood next to her with four Mapach behind him wearing the symbol of the The Bandit Coalition.

The male Vulpin questioned the Gallus next to him, "This isn't Kathon. Who is this?"

"You asked for a dancer I brought you a dancer." She sneered back at him.

Hearing Cyrus scream out his friends quickly responded. Cyrus disengaged from the enemy and ran back to his friends casting Maximilian's Earthen Grasp on the Vulpin who stabbed him. Alabaster, in a drunken stupor, called out to the fox asking her what she and her companions were doing. The Vulpin growled and told him to leave them alone unless he wanted more of his friends to get stabbed. Alabaster responded by casting Shatter.

Yarrow ran forward begging the bandits to stop, asking them to come to a peaceful solution. The Mapach seemed to relax a bit but still stood at the ready. Yarrow then cast Gust of Wind down the alleyway pushing the bandits back and making it more difficult for them to advance. Peat Moss (Salamander) ran from the battle to go and find Aldous back at the tavern.

Aldous finished writing out his letter and was looking it over when a large red salamander came and started tugging on his cloak. Recognizing him as Yarrow's and seemingly in distress Aldous followed behind the lizard down the road seeing his friends in combat in the distance.

The two Vulpin in black looked at each other. The one helped the other escape Cyrus's earthen grasp and then tried to throw a smoke bomb down. This was instantly countered by the winds blowing down the alleyway. The female Vulpin grabbed him and the two ran away down the alley into darkness.

The Mapach still advanced upon the group threatening violence and attempting swings at Cyrus and Alabaster who returned in kind. Aldous made his way into combat asking about what had happened getting little answers from his companions.

Yarrow panicking decided to try his hand at intimidation, asking the bandits to leave and then casting Fermata's Guardian Bees. Bees poured out of the Tola's mouth and swarmed around him. The bandits seeing this and getting pushed back decided to turn and run. As the bandits ran they took what they could. One taking a pouch off of the dead Gallus girl and another failing to take Aldous's bag. Aldous returned this by using Mind Spike unexpectedly killing the Mapach who slumped in the alley.

The Perch Guard had made their way over, hearing the ruckus. Reyny and a Luma ran over to help with the bandits. Yarrow dropped the winds and cast Entangle trying to capture the Vulpin and Mapach making their escapes. He succeeded in getting one Mapach who remained trapped in the vines until the guards came and apprehended the bandit.

When Reyny had her back turned to the party Aldous cast Message and told her not to arrest or question the party as they were accomplices in trying to catch Serra Hyne in her acts. Reyny seemingly took note of this but still questioned Yarrow who was now looking at the Gallus girl. He took a key and a gold piece out of her pocket and looked up to Reyny. Reyny demanded to know who he was and told him to exit the alley which he sternly refused.

Yarrow instead went down and talked with the Luma guard, Imad. Imad asked the Tola what had happened and when Yarrow mentioned seeing bandits outside of town as well asked if he would come to the Perch Guard barracks and give a report. Yarrow agreed and followed the guard.

Imad and Reyny decided on what to do next. Reyny was to stay and take care of the bodies and the crime scene while Imad took this antlered Tola and Mapach bandit to the barracks for questioning. Reyny also suggested that the others should just leave and go home. Aldous took this chance and in a panic gathered Cyrus and Alabaster and started heading to the Temple of Hanera The Provider but not before Alabaster used Prestidigitation to create a sign on Reyny's back that said 'Kick Me'.


Cyrus, Aldous, and Alabaster made their way to the temple following far behind Yarrow and Imad. Aldous was beside himself with panic. Once at the temple the Jerbeen priest Vala greeted the party. Seeing Cyrus, she went to get Head Priest Bal Birkett as well as someone who could speak Vulpin for them named Beatrice Parker. Beatrice introduced herself to Cyrus and Priest Bal offered to heal him. Cyrus refused healing and walked up the wall onto the rafters and began to heal himself.

Yarrow walked with Imad down to the barracks making small talk along the way. The guard didn't seem fond of Reyny and told Yarrow that she wasn't much popular in the barracks. After some time they made their way to the barracks on the humble level of   The main quest here is dealing with the Bandits plan to steal cursed items from a craftsman." href="/w/mardlo-arias-nuactna/a/brackenmill-article">Brackenmill. The barracks were walled off but the gates were opened. The guards at the gate nodded at Imad and then began to whisper to themselves after seeing Yarrow.

Through the courtyard and into the building Yarrow using Druidcraft and Mending all the while to touch things up here and there. Captain Alvert Selwe and Captain Wolne Forradare were standing in the main hallway chatting when Yarrow and Imad approached. Captain Alvert reintroduced himself and decided to accompany Yarrow and Imad to see Serra Hyne.

Guards stopped what they were doing and many people gave Yarrow some distance and began whispering about The Tenders. Yarrow also heard one short Hedge begging a couple guards to search for someone named Paige Rutherford.

"You have to find her she could be in trouble. Why won't you listen to me!" The Hedge said shaking his paws at the guards. They turned to face him and the Raptor rolled her eyes at him.

"Look I know the Rutherford family and if their daughter was missing they'd let me know. I happen to know that she is supposedly traveling to Alderheart with a friend. If you're that worried send a courier to find her there." The Hedge looked disappointedly at them, "But-B".

The Raptor put her talon up, "Until the Rutherford family reports her missing I'm not going to do anything."

The conversation seemed to continue but Yarrow was quickly out of earshot and was brought to a training room. Inside many tired looking humblefolk guards were sparring with one another. Yarrow stepped in and cast Gust to bring a fresh breeze to the room. The guards all stopped and stared at the Tola, one Mapach getting hit hard in the face as he stared not paying attention to his sparring partner. A tall and very muscular Cervan woman stepped out of the crowd of guards. She sheathed a long flat chopping blade and walked towards the group.

Imad explained the situation to Captain Serra Hyne and she turned to Yarrow and introduced herself. Yarrow preemptively exclaimed that he was not a Tender and Serra Hyne laughed and started calling him a 'Not Tender'. After the gravity of the situation hit her, Serra Hyne asked the guard and Yarrow to her office.

In her office Yarrow explained much of his journey so far to them telling them of all the bandits up to this point, the mutated wolves, and meeting Hely Jordye. After a long conversation, being recorded by a scribe in the room, the guards finished with Yarrow. Serra Hyne asked him if he would come to a ceremony tomorrow. The Perch guard was going to move the members of the youth program along and it would be good to have more important figures present. Yarrow said he would try but that he couldn't promise anything.

Looking over to the bandit he also asked what would happen to the Mapach. The Captains looked to each other and the consensus was to hang the bandit. Yarrow suggested that they instead have him work a distant farm or do some labour to work off his debts. The captains looked to each other and Serra Hyne said that they would give it some thought. Yarrow retorted and told her that she was bad at lying. Serra Hyne and Alvert began to laugh. Yarrow then asked why Alvert didn't have the flower on his armor anymore that Yarrow made earlier that day. Alvert said that he had to look professional as a captain so he removed it but the kids all kept theirs and loved them. Yarrow made another one on his armor, this time with the town's colours of blue and silver.

Serra Hyne then sent Yarrow out with Imad as his guide. On his way out of the barracks many people were huddled around the halls to see him including the young guards he had met earlier that day. They indeed were still wearing the flowers he made them and one young Gallus seemed to be paying him some more focused attention than the others.

Back at the temple Alabaster and Aldous were in a heated discussion around what to do next. Aldous was frustrated with the current happenings and was convinced that plans would need to change. Alabaster and Aldous continued until Yarrow returned. Joining in the conversation Yarrow shared what had happened in the barracks. He then told Aldous that fighting Serra Hyne was a bad plan to which Alabaster and Cyrus agreed.

Aldous went to the central hearth and stayed there whispering to himself and trying to come up with a plan.

Alabaster, still inebriated, went to sleep.

Yarrow walked with Head Priest Bal Birkett and helped the priest with his temple duties while the head priest started to teach him about casting and controlling Light.


Cyrus still curious about Kathon decided to head out at night alone. Making his way up to the Skymall perch Cyrus looked in the usual spots where Kathon was said to perform. After looking at all the usual spots the young fox didn't find any trace of the dancer he was looking for. However he did catch the attention of a Corvum who seemed to be following him. Cyrus turned down an alley and cast Ambush Prey turning invisible. The Corvum turned down the alley, drew a dagger out of his pocket, and began to cautiously walk down the alleyway.

Cyrus walked out of the Skymall. Down in the Overhang a large building still had its lights on, working even this late at night. Cyrus continued down to the humble level of Brackenmill and started making his way to the temple. Nearby the Herme of stones in the center of town two armored figures appeared to be talking. Cyrus snuck up to see Captain Alvert Selwe talking with Captain Wolne Forradare.

"I can't believe they were found within the city. In the Skymall no less." The Corvum said in his usual calm voice.

"Yes well, they are getting sloppy and... we're..." Captain Alvert stopped and looked over to where Cyrus was hiding. Cyrus once again cast Ambush Prey and went invisible. Obviously distressed Captain Alvert turned to Captain Wolne and motioned to leave.

"We shouldn't be talking out here. Keep an eye on Serra Hyne." The Mapach turned and started walking towards the barracks while Captain Wolne simply turned and stared up at the large pile of stones in front of him. Cyrus took the break and snuck away back to the temple.

- The 22 of Alta -

Yarrow woke up early the next morning and cooked for the people of the temple. Alabaster, finally sober, woke up and began to plan to accompany Yarrow to the barracks for the ceremony that the Tola was invited to. Cyrus remained asleep on the ceiling unaware of the goings on. Vala came by and asked the group what their plans for the day were. Yarrow and Alabaster told Vala that they were off to the barracks and asked if she could let Cyrus know when he woke up. She nodded and said that Beatrice hadn't come in yet today but that she would do her best. Yarrow left Cyrus some food before Alabaster and him made their way out of the temple.

The barracks were not too far off from the temple. Large walls protect the barracks yard but the gates remain open and inviting. The two walked in to see dozens of groups of young guards in training with older members leading them. They were arranged in pockets that formed rows facing a large stage which seemed to have been constructed for this ceremony at the front of the yard. The guards were training, talking, carousing, apparently waiting for the ceremony to begin.

In the distance, on the stage, stood Captain Serra Hyne, Captain Uyncis Rose, and Captain Wolne Forradare along with an attendant each. Serra Hyne seeing the Tola in the distance and recognizing the crowds shift shouted across the yard, her voice booming, for the Tola and his friend to advance. Yarrow smiled and hopped down the yard casting Druidcraft and Mending to help heal and repair the field around him.

As they reached the stage Serra Hyne laughed and jumped down to greet them. She quickly welcomed the 'Not Tender' as his friend. A little unsure at first of the bard she quickly adapted and motioned for them to come on the stage pointing to stairs at the far end. Alabaster moved past her and tried his hand at jumping on the stage from the ground level. When his abilities seemed to be incongruous with his intent Serra Hyne moved in, picked up the Hedge, and offered to throw him up. Alabaster agreed and the Hedge soared through the air landing gracefully on stage eliciting an applause from the younger guards. Serra Hyne jumped up herself showing her own prowess. Yarrow used Druidcraft and made vines grow from under the stage over the course of a few minutes making a ladder of sorts which he then climbed on stage with.

Serra Hyne greeted the two and told them that they were still waiting for the head captain to arrive, Captain Baldwin Halfclaw.

Aldous made his own way out of the temple. Looking out to the farms he spotted a farm which looked to have a butcher at it. He made his way down and in a shed looking at some dried meats was a farmer named Cocheta. She greeted him warmly and the two talked about game and sport in the area. Aldous asked about animals showing up with mutations or extra parts, spinning a yarn about a fake relative of his finding wolves with deformations. Cocheta claimed that she had one deer that her sister, Kacela, shot during one of her recent hunts. The deer in question had a cleft foot and had an extra lung. Nothing too nefarious but strange nonetheless. Aldous ordered some venacin to go and made his way out.

Outside Captain Alvert Selwe was doing patrol with some guards. The excited Mapach waved at Aldous and began to slowly make his way over to the paranoid Corvum. Aldous quickly and quietly cast Detect Thoughts and then greeted the captain. Aldous used his detection to win the favor of the captain, first by providing his name that the captain had forgotten before he could ask and then following by hitting conversation beats that the Mapach wanted to hit.

It became quickly apparent that Alvert's thoughts and his words were sharply contrasted. While his words were sweet and dismissive his thoughts were focused and a bit ominous. Aldous moved the conversation over to talk about the Bandits hoping that the captain's thoughts would give something away. Alvert's thoughts were on Serra Hyne at first and how the bandits had gotten sloppy. His thoughts quickly trailed away however to Yarrow and his companions, including Aldous, being pests and getting too involved.

Alvert then quickly turned the conversation and asked about Aldous. He assumed that Aldous had family in Brackenmill if he was from here, which he claimed earlier, so the Mapach was confused as to why he was staying in the temple with his companions. Aldous grew very concerned and tried to turn the conversation back to the bandits asking if the guards had everything under control. Alvert reassured him that no harm would come to the people of Brackenmill, and in the silence after his statement Aldous heard the Mapach think, 'For now.' With that Aldous left the conversation, quickly thanking the Mapach for his job, and then walking away towards the bridge to the Overhang.

Yarrow and Alabaster were the center of attention on stage. Not a terrible feat given that two of the three captains present didn't have much animation to them. Captain Wolne stood steadfast and Captain Uyncis was half coiled in a ball at the back of the stage. Captain Serra Hyne shouted to the cadets and guards that they were to shape up for Captain Baldwin to arrive. Alabaster asked Serra Hyne how she projected so much. She smiled and exclaimed that it was a gift from Captain Wolne, a coin that she attuned to to help project her voice. Alabaster looked over to the Corvum who was fiddling with his armor. Wolne reached down and pulled a green gem on a necklace out of his armor, inspected it with a smile, and then tucked it back into his armor in a more comfortable position.

Alabaster made his way to Captain Wolne. The Corvum greeted the Hedge with a reserved smile. Alabaster questioned him about his position and then about the stone. The Corvum smiled and said that he got the stone from an old friend and it had sentimental value to him. He then turned his gaze to Alabaster and told him that he looked familiar. Alabaster was quickly taken aback and Captain Wolne smiled and brushed it off. The Hedge inquired from where the Corvum might know him. Captain Wolne said that he merely looked like someone he knew from St. Ignace. Alabaster lost for words backed away from the captain.

Yarrow meanwhile was talking with Captain Uyncis who was focusing on Captain Wolne. The young Tola hopped behind Uyncis and asked him in a hushed tone if he fancied the captain. Blushing and smiling Uyncis replied in a whisper that he was just keeping an eye on the captain is all. The two began to chat in hushed tones back and forth. The Hedge captain seeming to take a shine to the young rabbit. As they were talking Alabaster backed up into them and began to whisper with them.


Cyrus eventually woke up to a plate of food on the floor beneath him. He hopped off the ceiling and began to eat as Vala came by and told him that his companions were at the barracks. Cyrus thanked her, still pretending not to speak birdfolk, and proceeded out to the barracks.

On his way to the barracks he ran into Captain Alvert who instantly addressed him in Vulpin. Alvert asked how he was doing since he had been attacked the night before. Cyrus said he was doing fine after the nights rest. Alvert then asked him how talking with Eliza Pennygleam had gone and if he had found anything out that he wanted. Shaking his head Cyrus added that it was nice to see someone from his homeland though. The captain thought for a moment and then suggested that the young fox go to the Overhang and try to meet with someone from The Greater Trade Guild of Humblewood or Carlos Slim if he could. The traders do travel quite a bit and Slim may know something since he is known for international trade. Cyrus thanked the Mapach and made his way to the barracks.

The young fox soon arrived in the courtyard. Alabaster waved at him furiously which made Serra Hyne shout across the field for him to come to the stage. The dancer obliged and made his way up, using the stairs unlike the rest of his group. Once there the front doors to the barracks opened. Out from the large door came a tall and muscular Raptor in full plate armor. Behind him were two guards and four cadets, each writing things down on scraps of paper. The head captain made his way to the stage. His group of guards broke from his side and made their way to the front of the stage, save for one cadet who followed the captain acting as his scribe.

Captain Baldwin Halfclaw glided across the stage. Alabaster reached out to introduce himself but was ignored. The Raptor turned towards Yarrow and nodded.

"Don't worry," he said with confidence, "I'll make sure people stop calling you a tender." Yarrow smiled and sighed in relief. Captain Baldwin turned towards the front of the stage and looked to Serra Hyne.

"It's time to begin."

Report Date

02 Feb 2020

Primary Location

Brackenmill