Run Date: December 20th, 2022
PCs
Fey: Lv1 Fighter
Nameless One (Kara): Lv1 Barbarian
Kukuran: Lv1 Rogue
Henches: Nameless Two, George, and Bob
The Scouting Party
If three different groups weren't enough to manage, one of my players forgot her stuff today resulting in the players making yet another one. "We should make new characters and join the Crossroads Cavalry." While they were discussing the process of recruitment, I just told them we'll go all in: "You guys are already part of the CC, and here is your mission." I was admittedly hesitant, but these are the moments that will decide whether or not I burn or soar.
The party's assignment involved recon work at a town called Elton. Captain Haggart wanted to mount a raid for supplies, but needed information on patrols, scouts, and targets. With their mission sorted, Fey lead the group and their 3 spearmen through the Crestwood. The first half day of travel went well despite the freezing temperatures. Around noon the party came across a small pond with large, active fish. Fey decided to use the opportunity to fish up some lunch, but as she reeled in her catch a massive silver serpent launched from the water and tried to eat it. The spearmen fell into line and skewered the thing to death before realizing there were many more snakes roiling forth. The party fell back, Kukuran snatching the snake's carcass for later use.
The rest of the day, and the following one, were peaceful. Kukuran turned his dead snake into a neck ornament while weighing whether or not he wanted to skin it, eat it, or harvest it. His adornment caught a few glances when the party entered Elton's outskirts. They arrived after the gates closed, and decided hit up one of the village taverns for some warm drinks and conversation. Here they chatted up keep and asked about local news. He traded his own for theirs; the players took this opportunity to talk about all the hooks and news from Riversmeet as well as the rumors of their "previous" adventures. It was a fun throwback, and the history we've been building resonates with the players in a way I didn't expect.
The next morning the party set to their recon. NO's job was to scout the town's perimeter and note the guard houses while Kukuran browsed the markets. Fey's role was to act as a tourist and do a headcount on the guard towers and walls. NO discovered the locations of the mines, a mill, and a hill of goats, as well as the count of guard towers in the surrounding hills (6). Kukuran, meanwhile, got distracted by a shipment of Red Sun weapons entering the market. He nearly considered plotting a robbery, but settled for keeping to the mission. Fey's count resulted in some 30 guards with various armaments as well as the general layout of Elton's township.
After convening alone at a nearby stream to "clean off the grime of the bad fish they ate," the PCs decided to stay another day and try gathering some information. Oh yeah, I guess I didn't cover that: the fish they ate had been poisoned by the snake and they had severe stomach cramps the previous night.
A new day and new dawn, the group overall does a solid job of gathering information regarding the count (duke?) and his family. Fey observed the family from public grounds, learning what she could about each member's role and habits. Nicholas had 3 children: Nicholas II(22), Frederick(15), and Lucenna(12). Nicholas II was a forced shut-in, constantly working with tutors to prepare for his eventual inheritance. Frederick was more a management sort and handled ledgers and communications with the foreman from the sawmill and mines. Lucenna was friends with the guard captain and as far from a lady as could be. Had Fey been any worse at her recon, she never would have realized Lucenna had walked around her among the commoners several times through the day.
NO's information regarded Nicholas' general demeanour. She learned that Nicholas' was a bit of a workaholic and wished to keep everything just so. The people of Elton didn't mind it since he always made sure they were well cared for, and he even made contingencies.
Kukuran ventured into hardcore gossip and heard through the grapevine that Nicholas was inattentive to his wife's needs, and that the Lady Amelia often sought the company of others while her husband was away.
After reconvening that evening, the group spent some time trying to formulate a plot. At this point, I might as well have mentally checked out because there were a lot of ideas but no execution. The most interesting, and risky, was the suggestion of kidnapping either Nicholas or Lucenna. Fey talked down the Lucenna idea because she believed Haggart would not be a fan: the Cavalry MO is more about rebellion against the selfish lords than harming the common man or innocents. The kidnap of Nicholas didn't gain any traction due to the overall risk involved (which would have been fun, but alas). The end result of all the talking was, "Let's return to the Captain and let him decide."
The return trip was not going to be easy. As soon as the party ventured out of Elton, not only did Fey confuse her navigation but a blizzard hit (this is like the 3rd time they've rolled this). Fey did her best in the conditions, however, and ended up navigating out of the hills and toward a log cabin. Though they feared what would happen or who or what lived there, they didn't have much choice but to approach.
The creature that answered the door was an almost-literal bear. A half-giant of a man some 9+ feet in height and covered in a massive bear pelt opened the door. Kukuran, the one sent to negotiate, pressed forward with the request for shelter, and to his luck, they were welcomed in. The creature set places for them at his table while the massive hearth blazed and cauldron bubbled. The conversation was awkward, as the man didn't seem overly talkative. The party asked his name, and in a booming voice he said... Kyle.
Kyle shared his bear soup with the party and offered them a place to sleep in his loft. He also asked where the PCs were from and responded to their answer with a "Never heard of it." The PCs explained that they were trying to make money, and Kyle showed no understanding of the concept. He instead voiced that he had everything he needed, and encouraged the others to learn from him. When he learned of NO's name (or lack thereof), he explained that a name makes a person. He named her Kara, and NT was granted the title Kyle II.
The party stayed with Kyle for 4 days, and left after the blizzard subsided. As they headed out, there were several comments about not having been killed, butchered, and eaten (can't say I wasn't tempted). Nonetheless, the party managed to navigate through the snow and return to the Crossroad Cavalry fort, albeit after nightfall.
The following morning, the group informed Haggart of their foray and answered his questions. It was at this point that I managed to use Haggart to note some details they may not have considered and pieces of information that may have helped with the planned raid. This back and forth used up the rest of our session time as the PCs and Haggart mapped out a plan of attack and preparations were made.
I asked the players if they'd like to try and run this raid as a session or have me roll it in the background and give them results. Looks like we're trying another Mass Battle Experiment next week.
Rewards
2xp
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