The Defense of Goldbrook

Military: Battle

After regrouping at Caspian's lodging, the party secured a carriage for travel to Goldbrook. Upon arriving at the small town, they met two guards at the eastern gate - Rich and Jack. Through successful diplomacy, they convinced the guards to take them to meet Brynden Gallagher.   Brynden confirmed rumors about the Council of Clans and explained his recent resignation after power struggles. He'd begun working with Karim and Tariq of Rorest's Sword. When suggested he should flee, Brynden strongly rejected the idea, citing generations of his family's defense of Goldbrook. The party helped prepare the town's defenses. Noreman, noting his physical similarity to Brynden, proposed impersonating him during the upcoming confrontation. They also developed strategies, including inserting sharpened shovels into the palisade wall for archer positions. At the blacksmith's shop, Ribyan discovered Marius (a dwarven weaponsmith also sent by Karim) working on an experimental ballista bolt. With Cal's magical abilities, they devised a plan to use this weapon against the approaching forces.   When the Obsidian Sentries arrived, Captain Valerie Thorne called for an Honor Call at sunset. Noreman (disguised as Brynden) accepted. During the tense negotiation, both sides maintained traditional formalities while making their positions clear - Thorne demanding submission to Gerrin's reforms, and (real) Brynden defending clan autonomy.   At dawn, the Sentries attacked the Mill Gate. Cal used Animated Assault to fire the experimental bolt, causing a massive shockwave explosion that devastated much of the approaching army. Caspian followed with a Radiance Torrent spell, further decimating their forces. The battle mages and archers began retreating.   However, during the battle, another watchtower bell began ringing. Ribyan, Brynden, and Noreman rushed to investigate, finding the Manor on fire. Inside, they discovered the back wall had been twisted to create an escape route, and Jack, the Manor lookout, was dead. Brynden's study had been scorched, with a critical book either burned or stolen.   The victory over the Sentries was significant, marking the first major defeat of Gerrin's elite forces.