Events+of+Zarantyr+15,+998+YK

=Events of 15 Zarantyr, 998 YK=

Outriders
Stend Bakker, Dashiell Kaplan, Plow, Colden Torbald and Thurm, Paladin of the Silver Flame, slept fitfully in the cold mountain air, but took no lasting damage. With the morning came time to move closer to the border, set up the ambush, and wait.

The team found a suitable location, with large boulders and thick snow-covered undergrowth going up both sides of a dry streambed running up towards the mountains (such stream beds carry snowpack runoff during the spring and summer months), at an approximate altitude of 2,000 feet or so. Hiding the horses and taking positions, they waited.

But instead of the full force of Goblinoids, they first ran into a scout/advance party of four mounted Goblins. Two rode Worgs, and the other two were on the trained, Medium-sized Winter Wolves seen in previous encounters. Stend and Dashiell urged the group to use non-lethal measures, but at the crucial moment Plow charged in, even issuing a monotone imitation of the classic **"CAW! CAW!"** alarm as he used Corwin's Bastard Sword to deadly effect.

The plan blown, the others joined the Warforged, dealing a quick defeat to the riders. Two Goblins, both Worgs and a Winter Wolf were killed; one Gobin was captured; one Winter Wolf fled the scene after failing its save vs. a Fear spell; and the last Goblin fled downhill on foot, chased by the implacable Plow. Later, the adamantine-bodied ex-farmer returned, claiming success in his hunt. Colden was hurt, but healed via wand by Stend and Thurm.

The Main Body
Cleaning up the battlefield as best they could, the party learned from their captive that the main body was marching on foot and would cross this area soon. They tied him up and gagged him by the four horses, and resumed their ambush positions.

Soon, a force of about 15 Goblins and Hobgoblins came marching up the defile. In their midst were the three hostages, Tanar d'Tharashk, Captain Narcy ir'Kemble and the third, a Human male later identified as Corporal Lucan Stellos. Though they appeared disciplined, this force -- the last remnants of an elite incursion force numbering well over 100 -- were demoralized and ready to compromise. Stend, possibly realizing this, hatched a plan. While he tried to fascinate the force and Bluff them into releasing the hostages and surrendering, Dashiell would use his Domain Calm Emotions spell to adjust their mood even further. With Thurm and Colden acting as leaders of a much larger force waiting at the ridgeline, Stend's improbable ploy worked.

The soldiers moved on, leaving the hostages behind. Only the two Hobgoblin archers (one to either side of the column) made their saves. One fled into the snowy undergrowth, followed by Plow. The other stood, unsure of what to do, until Dashiell had freed the burly Half-Orc. With a roar, Tanar charged the Hobgoblin, taking him out with his bare hands. Since this happened just out of view of the main column, they didn't react. Lucan Stellos whispered urgently to Dashiell that the leaders -- Diizina, the Bard and their last tough fighter -- were staying back, and were not in the group. Before the Boldreian Cleric could pass this warning, the other Hobgoblin Archer emerged behind the party's position, with the horses and Goblin captive. Freeing the captive and untying the horses, he screamed at the column to fight.

The resulting battle was a large, confused affair. Tanar, now armed with the fallen Hobgoblin's bow and Shortsword, killed several. Thurm and Colden were both brutally effective. Stend used his spells and wands to keep the two fighters in the action. Narcy and Lucan, unarmed and unarmored, hid. And Dashiell found himself on a boulder, using his Crossbow and Spear more than his spells.

In the midst of this, Plow's treachery was revealed. He attacked Thurm, ranting that he was going to lead the Warforged legion of the coming Horde, all for the greater glory of the Lord of Blades and his new mistress, she who would summon the Horde and break the power of the fleshlings...or something like that. Honestly, Plow's a little unhinged.

Anyway, a baldy-wounded Plow managed to escape, along with maybe five of the Goblins and Hobgoblins, and two of the party's horses (loaned from the House Vadalis livery). The party had no chance to rest, however, as suddenly they were attacked by the Barghest, the Bard, the fighter, and the Goblin rider who had fled earlier, on the last Winter Wolf. What could have been a climactic showdown ended abruptly, when Dashiell managed to blind Diizina with a spell. Switching to Goblin form, the Barghest was able to mount one of the remaining horses and flee wildly. The Bard grabbed the other horse and joined the fiendish villain, leaving the Goblin, Winter Wolf and Hobgoblin to their fate.

The party got quite a haul of treasure, as everyone was carrying at least two Eberron Dragonshards from the mine they'd abandoned, along with all their coinage, personal possessions and gear. But without horses, getting it all back was slow going. They made it as far as the Murnie Homestead by nightfall,

Professor Wunsin
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Something Else Happens
Blah.

Moving On
Blah.