Session 094 Back in the saddle again
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Session Date
Date: 05 May 2023
Campaign Date
Game Day: Afternoon Wealson 4, CY621
Synopsis:
Ragnum bruises his testicles while the party renews old acquaintances
The party considers its options - considering their charges are women and children the debate is short lived. Taking a stand will most likely result in death by zombification and the option to flee has better odds though it's still uncertain if they can evade long enough to escape without losing some (all) of the citizens. Ragnum listens quietly before stepping forward and declares resolutely he will lead the army away but they must go now.
Gallandrin, Horin, Lanalor, and Mourn look upon him with a mix of awe and shock but Ragnums quick mounting of the horse and putting spurs to the beast leaves no time for argument. In the distance the sound of the Wights horn signals their imminent attack. The citizens balk at the risk and refuse to leave the tower, frustrating Gallandin. With some epic slight of hand (Crit success) Gallandinn somehow manages to cast a firebolt spell into the dry goods stored within the tower without the citizens noticing. As the flames consume the supplies the citizens stream out quickly and the party gathers the rest of the citizens, packing them closely into the wagon which creaks under the their weight. Gallandrin and Mourn mount up while Horin and the remaining guards finish loading the refugees on the wagon. With the crack of a whip the wagon lurches forward driven by Horin and they head out of town towards Wanborne. Lanalor and Gallandin scout ahead every wary of getting to close lest they fall under the aura of fear emanating from Whisper Mill which lies along the road ahead.
Ragnum at a gallop heads towards the army and with only a a few years between him and the Wight reins in his horse and demands the army halt their advance and resume their march towards Monduiz Dephaar. With a cackle and perhaps a bit of remorse the Wight says the matter is not for him to decide as Lord Velor wishes him to die honorably in single combat. With that, the line of troops separate as a hulking undead Stone Giant steps forward, club in hand looking upon the dwarf with contempt. Catching Ragnum by surprise they trade a series of blows before the giant lands a nearly fatal blow, the bone crushing impact cracks ribs (crit hit) and stuns Ragnum into near unconsciousness (crit fail). His horse leaps in terror and by some miracle (crit success) Ragnum's boot just barely catches the stirrup leaving him half hanging off the horse. He blacks out form the pain as his testicles slam against the saddle as his terrified horse gallops off to the north west (lucky roll). Sensing an easy kill the undead army turns rapidly in pursuit and begins a half day long pursuit as Ragnum regains his senses leads them away from Bexley.
With a bit of luck and horsemanship the party manages to evade the skirmishers and before long find themselves near Whisper Mill which they quickly avoid by swinging 1/2 mile to south retracing their route to Bexley just a few days before. They avoid breaking the wagon wheels as they thread a path through the brush while avoiding detection by the undead.
As they approach Wanborne from the east they see a column of inky black smoke about three miles south of town. Lanalor spurs his horse and gallops up to find a scene of wanton death and destruction spread over a 1/4 mile battlefield stretched along the road to Wanborne. A tattered standard flies proudly over the carnage and a mixed group of demi-humans tosses casually tosses bodies into a bonfire. A lone Dwarf (Stirkirk), a keg balanced on his shoulder stoically looks upon the scene, while a grimy dwarf approaches asking Lanalor with an air of suspicion about his business. The dwarves look upon Lanalor far more warmly once Lanalor relays his acquaintance with Gallandrin, Horin, and Ragnum.
Accompanied by Lanalor the remnants of the demi-human mercenary company (Burtons Irregulars) march towards Wanborne and with horns blaring the gates open with great fanfare. The party arrives through the east gate as the long awaited reinforcements make their way through town and both groups meet at the town square. With a complete loss of decorum Stirkirk recognizes his companions with a shout of Dwarven joy he bellows out a warm series of insults in greeting before regaining his usual sullen composure.
The rest of the party drinks a toast from Stirkirks ever full keg and heads off to get a full nights rest. Ragnum now fully conscious and partially healed decides he should lead his relentless undead pursuers towards the Purple Worm Mine. As the last rays of the sun cast long shadows upon the gaping mouth of the mine he spots an old gnome sitting on a rock outside the entrance, puffing a pipe, a bemused look upon his face as Ragnum rides up.