Run Date: March 7th, 2023
PCs
Fae(Sa): Lv1 Fighter
Kukuran(Pa): Lv1 Rogue
Crossroad Cavalry: Patrols and Encounters
Our third player is still filling in at work, and the other two are hesitant to wrap up their graveyard mission without her. As such, they pulled out their extra extras; Brigands for the Crossroad Cavalry. I updated the group on what's been happening since the last time they played with the CC, and then they headed out on patrol.
Fae, Kukuran, and 8 more brigands (4 each archer/spearmen) headed out west and began their scouting trip. A little after midday, as they were reaching the ends of the forested hills, the group discovered a huge herd of horses. They were running, prancing, fighting, and otherwise enjoying the nice weather. Yes, fighting. Several of the larger, meaner stallions were roughing each other up for control of different sections of the herd as well as specific mates. Our patrol, being members of the Crossroad Cavalry, decided this was a great chance to get some new mounts. Half the group set up a watch camp while the others rushed back to get some help.
Night was settling in when the reinforcements arrived: 10 CC Cavalry. The group went over a plan to herd as many as possible into a makeshift corral using the Cav as herders. Sleep was light that night as everyone set to work building the necessary walls and gate for the enclosure.
The next morning, just as the sun was rising, everyone set to work. The Cav charged out and caused enough of a panic to chase off some of the herd and begin their work. Unfortunately, it wouldn't come easy. The tougher stallions started fighting and charging the CC Cav. The ranks slowed, and breaks in the line allowed more wild horses to slip through. The players kept at the ready and commanded their archers to offer covering fire, and even managed to take down a few of the wild beasts. Once the dust settled, the party came out with 1 dead man, 1 injured man, and 10 wild horses. The patrol wrangled everything up and marched back to the fort.
Captain Haggart accepted the gift with a bright smile and offered a reward. Kukuran accepted cash while Fae requested one of the horses after they'd been trained. They then rested and restarted their westward patrol. It was Day 3 now, and they discovered a perfect safe haven around midday. The area was perfect for lunch and a rest; fresh water, cover from the weather, and protection on all sides from the wind. They weren't the only ones who had used this place, however, as the PCs discovered a small box with a bag of odd silver coins and a unique perfume bottle shaped like octopus tentacles.
After their lunch, the group pressed on to the edge of the hills and into the plains. Over the next half day, they discovered; the carcass of a massive, Infused Hercules Beetle (head and wing plates retrieved), a large pit trap surrounded by tall reeds, the camp of a strange man, and a giant stone marking bearing unidentifiable markings.
The patrol hesitated after finding the camp with the strange man. They were still tucked into cover, and several considered robbing him. What stayed their hand was one of the PCs spotting his tent and "laundry line." The tent itself was rather large, not unlike a general's tent. They were concerned with the possibility of reinforcements in the tent or nearby. Additionally, they noticed other Infused body parts hanging from said "laundry line." One of the players stated, "This guy might be a powerful wizard, maybe we shouldn't mess with him." After a bit more discussion, they retreated back into the cover and gave the place a berth.
The giant stone platform was another point of interest. The party noted that it appeared perfectly flat compared to the rest of the area, and upon touching it found that it was perfectly smooth despite the markings cut into it. Fae tested the surface by setting a rock upon it, and watched as it slid off the edge and into a pile of similar debris. After a few more tests, including an arrow and larger rock, the party decided not to play around with it. We did joke about air hockey and ice skating, though.
After camping outside for the night, the group continued their scouting. Today's encounters were a bid weirder than the day prior; an overgrown homestead with wild garlic, an old stone raised bed (also with wild garlic), and another camp. The party's faces at discovering the garlic patches were entertaining, and questions about who or what planted these plots came up; though only for a few seconds. Today's major concern was the camp.
Within the camp was a medium tent and a fire with cookpot. Tending to the pot was a middle-aged man clad in plate and with a beautiful sword strapped to his side. The players were itching to make a move and squat down to have a conversation between themselves and their patrol. 10:1, numbers in their favor, but concerns about nearby allies or the man's skills or title. They ended up testing the waters by walking toward the camp and trying to start a conversation. Everyone was tense, and about halfway through the conversation the brigands chose to play it safe. They wished a good day to the man and headed off toward their fort.
The patrol would not be able to return before nightfall, and worse yet, some of their members had started to become severely sick. Over the past day, half of their crew had come down with a heavy, wheezing cough. At this point, it had progressed to coughing up bits of blood and bile. Within their safe haven, the players developed a plan of action. Fae would go out to get help, Kukuran would stay and tend to the sick.
Fae arrived at the fort a few hours later and spoke with the men at the gate. They informed the Captain and agreed to set up a sick tent and begin preparing to inter everyone that could return. Meanwhile, back at camp, Kukuran heard voices. He peaked out of one of the haven's pathways and spotted the two men they'd discovered the days prior. Kukuran returned to the safety of the overhang and told two of his archers to sneak ahead and try to warn the fort. Unfortunately, the two rushed out too quickly and were spotted by the pair outside. Kukuran could only sit and listen as the screams ceased and the challenge went out. After a few minutes of no response, the two outsiders departed.
Fae was returning from the fort to inform the others of the plan, and unfortunately ran across the pair. She spotted them, and their bloody sack, before deciding to turn and run. They hadn't noticed her until she split, and the two attempted to give chase. Fae was quick, and being on home terrain provided ample advantages to her. The pursuers tripped down a sharp drop, and after regaining their bearings ran straight into a wall of brambles. The two gave up shortly after, only throwing out curses and threats as Fae departed.
Reconvening at the safe haven, Kukuran updated Fae on what happened. He, too, was starting to get sick, and the group made a desperate push to reach the fort. They took a wide berth to avoid contact with the bounty hunters, but fell prey to Infused spiders bursting out of some nearby stone walls. They lost three more brigands as the doors shut and the screaming muffled. "Their sacrifice will not be in vain."
Upon return, Fae updated the Captain on what had happened and joined the survivors in the medical tent.
Rewards
3xp
42gp (Kukuran)
Light Horse, 2 GP, "Eau de Cthulhu"
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