Session 096 The last charge of the heavy brigade
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Session Date=[edit | edit source]
Date: 17 June 2023
Campaign Date[edit | edit source]
Game Day: Afternoon Wealson 4, CY621
Synopsis:[edit | edit source]
The elven patrol holds their movement briefly before a lone rider slowly trots forward, Lanalor eyes the group warily but holds his fire. The group reports they were fighting a group of Rippers escorting a convoy of silver along the road NW of Grenvik when both sides were assaulted by two glistening leathery black creatures with wings - perhaps some infernal beings unknown to the elves, killing multiple hobgoblins, one of the elves, before gravely wounding the rest in a wild flurry of attacks. They fled south to find the adventures. The leaders name is Ale'ein Thistledoor. Ale'ein is surprised by the PC's kindness and though suspicious decides to continue leading his patrol to the south.
Horin heals the rangers and sends them back to Wanborne for more intensive care.
The party debates with Rimweck about how to best get to Grenvik without being spotted. He eagerly suggests taking a route via the mines instead of the road. They decide overland as the mines lead to the underdark. He mentions the Baron has a stockpile of goods confiscated from the merchants that cant pay the taxes on their trade goods in one of the warehouse inside the keep. Rimweck mentions he has an aunt in Grenvik that he's not worried about her because his uncle had quite a collection of interesting items stored in his workshop before he disappeared. They discuss Rimweck's missing uncle - he reportedly had a flying machine in his workshop outside of Grenvik that may be able to carry the party into Oleg Keep. His aunt Eleanor has a place in Grenvik and likes cucumber sandwiches. He's worried about arriving unannounced and upsetting her.
The party then meets with Stirkirk who says a frontal assault is the better option as his spies report the walls have a hole in them they could charge through. Stirkirk intends to march his company into Oleg Keep and take it before the undead turn the defenders into more undead. Stirkirk is eager for the fight and wired himself to explode if captured, as have all his command staff. He'll not be taken alive nor in any form that can be resurrected and turned into an undead servant of the hells. Rimweck nearly detonates Stirkirks device (suicide vest) when he pulls on it trying to determine if he can replicate it. Rimweck thinks his uncle was an alchemist as he a box of vials and flasks with similar looking liquids in his shop. He says he'll wait a day before assaulting the keep and to meet him there for drinks of the Barons reported Cardum and Oleg whisky stash.
The party rides north along the road to Grenvik avoiding the bog to the east where the undead have reportedly take up residence. About a mile south of Grenvik the party encounters a Red Company heavy cavalry detachment patrolling the road, they quickly fan out from column formation to a line abreast, where the party finds themselves staring down 20 heavily knights in plate mail moving towards them in a threatening manner. Gallandinn quickly summons an elemental and has it hidden under the surface just in front of the party. Horin casts spiritual hammer, sending it forward towards the calvary, which draws the ire of the calvary. The patrol was previously undecided about the PC's intentions and interprets Horins actions as an imminent attack and launch into a full charge.
Setting weapons to repel the charge, Galandinn has the elemental erupt from the ground in front of the charging calvary killing one instantly (crit hit) and nearly knocking another off his horse. The calvary level their lances and charge through the party at a full gallop delivering a series of critical hits to each party member leaving the party mostly incapacitated.
- Ragnum is stunned three rounds, weapon nearly broken from the impact and thrown a full 30' away. He suffers disadvantage for the reminder of the encounter.
- Horin is knocked prone and into the brush along the road.
- Gallandrin knocked prone and loses concentration freeing the elemental to take actions on its own.
- Lanalor is hit on the head and is blinded for two rounds from the blood in his eyes.
The Red Company cavalry complete their charge, and now a full 60' behind the party begin to wheel their mounts about for a second pass. Gallandinn, free from his focus on the elemental, and thoroughly enraged unleashes a fireball on the group of four knights that charged him. The fireball disintegrates one knight and kills all four mounts - instantly the stench of burnt horseflesh fills the air, and the three now critically wounded knights consider their options. Horin calls down a flame strike upon a knight and his mount, and like Gallandinn, the fire consumes both the horse and grievously burns two nearby knights.
The two groups of heavily blooded and thoroughly enraged combatants turn to face each other, regrouping in preparation for the next assault.