Session 7 - War in Riesenhain
General Summary
Uprising
After the chilling battle with the spirit below the Church, Klein and his party ascended to the ground floor. The party would not find rest here though, for the Riese started picking fights with the villagers. Heroically, Klein initiated support by loosing an arrow at these beasts from the Church. At once, the party jumped into action to help the villagers being assaulted by the giants. Slinging spells and rocks alike, Klein, Ernst, and Belak were determined to defeat these oppressors!
But not all villagers saw these Riese as foes, and the cobbler's son ran at the party with an axe to cut them down. Belak, unwilling to lethally harm the lad, fought him off with his bare fists! Luckily, the boy began retreating before Belak had to cause significant harm. However, Klein did not allow him to retreat. Klein loosed another arrow into the boy, assuring that he would not repeat his mistake to attack the party.
With this, the Riese were driven back into the tavern, giving the party time to regroup and inform the villagers to seek refuge at the Church. Belak was sent to the northwestern part of the village, while Klein and Ernst surveyed and secured other areas. Klein and Ernst were successful in recovering the injured and rallying the villagers. Belak, on the other hand, did not return with any villagers. He ran forth, spreading the good word to people locked in their homes to seek shelter in the Church. He tried to convince them by informing the people that the lord would use them to fight against his enemies! And their sacrifice was one that he is willing to make! Strangely, the villagers did not listen to Belak and shut their doors. Then suddenly, a thrown axe came out of nowhere and struck Belak, knocking him unconscious.
Some time later, Belak awoke with a serious wound in his arm and fled back to the Church seeking aid. Ernst was there already administering aid to other people, but did his best to fix a sling for Belak. Klein began planning how to further take control of the village until he heard disturbances from outside the village. Sounds of wolves made him leave the Church to go investigate.
Beauty and the Beast
In the city of Greifstadt, a holy warrior is planning his own quest. His name is Bertrand von der Marwitz, and he is looking to venture out of the city to find a man named Ferdinand von Horst, whom he served as a squire. He investigates the town, looking for leads and advice on his plans. Since he had never ventured in these lands on his own, he was advised to find a local guide to help him in his travels.
Figuring he would find a good candidate there, he went into taverns until he met a man calling himself Totengraber, who offered his services for a low cost (as well as a promise of any loot they would “stumble” upon). With the contract discussed, Bertrand seals the deal with a handshake with this local. Getting a closer look, Bertrand discovered that the stranger was no man, but a Riese covered in fur. This discovery did not deter Bertrand, and introduced himself to his new guide.
They decided to set out from the city at night and attempted to avoid drawing any attention. After a scuffle with some townspeople, the duo was able to set out on their expedition heading into the land called Markwald. Navigating through the forests, they quickly noticed that they were being stalked. Quadrupedal beasts trailing them and making themselves more known as the duo ventured deeper into the forests. Totem drew out the beasts and challenged the pack, causing intense fighting to break out. These beasts were wolves that looked to be guarding the path Bertrand and Totem were taking. The fight was drawn out and the adventurers were exhausted, injured and bleeding as the wolves closed in. When all seemed dire, help had arrived. Another person came from the forest and fought off the wolves.
Bertrand was thankful for the human’s assistance and he certainly saved their lives. Bertrand and Totem introduced themselves and were shocked to hear the human’s name. For he was Klein von Horst, sharing the surname with the man Bertrand was searching for! That fact strengthened his conviction to venture with Klein as he led them into the forest. They then emerged in Reisenhain, and Klein was just as pleased to find more powerful warriors to join his band. To get inside the church, Totengraber accepts baptism from Ernst, and takes Bertrand as his Gaalite name.
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