The Heroes Strike Back

KIT and TORDEN

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The two of you wake up in a dark and damp dungeon cell face-to-face with the golden-masked Night Lord, Gardren, leader of the Night Blades. You suffer through Gardren's interrogation, who removes his mask to reveal his horribly burned face. He demands answers about who sent you, convinced you were sent to take Deepfathom Well (the old Voidwater Mine outside of town) away from him. Gardren's pyschopathy and paranoia are laid bare as he rants about how he will kill anyone who gets in the way of what is rightfully his. Because he thinks you know something about Deepfathom, he keeps you alive.

After the interrogation you realize you share a cell with the man you came to stop, Ralavaz, brother of Gardren and the original Night Lord. Ralavaz - now old and broken from years of prison - tells you that when they released him, he sought out his brother to make amends and a fresh start, but he was unprepared for how much his brother had changed. Some shred of humanity prevents Gardren from killing his brother, and so he languishes in prison.

Three others share the prison with you, all human miners from Deepfathom Well - Jarlen, Winstock, and Renko. They tell you how they came to Whitesparrow seeking to reopen Deepfathom well. However, after a promising start it abruptly shut down about a month ago after the old Arkasian pumps failed without warning. Shortly after, the Night Blades arrived and took over the well and put them in prison. They inform you that Voidwater is a rare substance that negates and dispels magic.

Over the next two weeks you gradually regain your strength. Kit charms everyone, make friends with the inmates and even the guards can't help but tap their feet along with his songs and listen closely at his tales. In the coming days, Gardren visits only once more to brag that he has now conquered Whitesparrow and is taking up residence in Whitesparrow Keep.

Rumours You've Overheard

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Through careful listening and Kit's charm, you overhear various rumours as two weeks unfold:

* Word has travelled fast about the success of the Night Blades, and thugs and hoodlums from around the region have come to join their ranks.
* Gardren has declared himself the lord of the town. He has ambitions to rule the entire region.
* The sheriff and other townsfolk who were responsible for burning Gardren in the past hang in gibbets hanging off the keep's walls, slowly starving to death.
* Any insubordination from the townsfolk has been is met with fire. Publicly burning people alive seems to be Gardren's favourite execution.
* The Night Blades have taken up residence in the Summerspring Inn, but are becoming increasingly creeped out by the place. At night, strange sounds can be heard coming from beneath it, and at least one bandit mysteriously died.

The Dungeon

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The room is a natural cave, dug into the hillside below the Lonely Tower. On your side of the bars, black manacles on iron rings line the rough stone walls. The entire floor is covered in putrid water that drips in through the ceiling and pours out through an arm-thick drain in the floor.

On the outside, the room is illuminated by a couple of oil lamps. Guards stand or sit at a shallow patch of dry land that is at the foot of a natural tunnel that winds it way upward out of the cave and back into the Lonely Tower.

The Plan

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During this time, you have not been idle. Kit convinced the guards to release the five of you from the manacles, giving you some freedom of movement behind bars. You have returned to full strength, although a little leaner from your prison diet. You have carefully organized an escape attempt and are about to pull the trigger. Ralavaz and the three miners are on board and although not warriors, they will fight for their freedom. You have chosen night time to strike as new recruits have the night shift. Two of them now stand at the mouth of the tunnel exit, half asleep. Experience tells you there will be more up above.

Answer these questions!

1. You have managed to procure or create weapons from your surroundings. What are they and how did you do it?
2. You have managed to figure a way to get passed the locked gate. Describe how.

Once those questions are in place, the prison escape can begin.

ANDER, PAGEFLAP, RYVID, and SULPRAX

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Pageflap fled back to town from the failed assault on the Lonely Tower. The sheriff could not spare the soldiers to mount a rescue attempt as she prepared for the Night Blades' response. Pageflap left the town in search of help.

Eventually, Pageflap managed to find three relic hunters willing to aid him in his cause, especially after he told them about the cache of unidentified magical artifacts they found bellow the inn. Ander, Ryvid, and Sulprax joined Pageflap and returned to Whitesparrow, now conquered by the Night Blades. Observing from afar you see the following:

* A flag consisting of a black sword on a golden field - presumably the Night Blades' - now flies from the parapets of the keep, and gibbets hang from its walls.
* The town is swarming in Night Blades - maybe 20-30. They have taken up residence in the Inn
* The Constabulary, Grayhorn's Outfitters, Sir Winter's home, and some farming homesteads have been burned to the ground.
* There are heads on spikes in the center of town with a primitive sign that reads "Heroes of Whitesparrow." They belong to Aegar, Barendd, Iman, and Raishe.

You observe the town for awhile, and notice a wagon heads up to the Lonely Tower twice a day, taking a compliment of six guards and supplies. You decide to ambush the wagon en route, and prepare an ambush site for this evening's wagon.

Answer this question!

1. Describe any features you want to include in the ambush site. You will be able to use these features in combat. For example, if you want to build a trap, you can spring it. If you want to include a geographic feature, you can use it for cover or to jump off of it. Stack the deck in your favour - you are the ones who are choosing the ambush site after all.

THE AMBUSH

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The wagon creaked its way up the winding path that cut through the foothills of the Whitesparrow valley on the way to the Lonely Tower. On board, the four Night Blades joked about how they had defeated 'The Heroes of Whitesparrow'. Skeetz, who had the reigns of the horse, laughed in delight.

"You should have seen the feathered one run! If his wings were a bit strong he probably would have - GAHK!!!"

Concealed behind foliage at the top of one wall, Pageflap pulled hard on the rope that was tied to a tree on opposite side of the low walls that sandwiched the wagon track. The rope went taught and clotheslined the two Skeetz and his fellow driver. (Skeetz and B are knocked prone, take x damage)

A split second later, the wagon's front wheels crashed into the trench that Sulprax had dug hours ago. The horses screamed as they reared up on their hind legs, coming to an abrupt stop. Sulprax smiles to see the effectiveness of his handiwork.

A split second after that, Ryvid casually tosses a fresh-lit torch into a shallow pit of oil just behind the stuck wagon. Good luck backing out of this one.

While this all happened, Ander sat back a bit further on his wolf, an arrow knocked. His companions had executed the ambush flawlessly. Now all that was left to do was take the wagon and assume the identities of the Night Blades. The Lonely Tower was next.

ROUND ONE

We're doing this Theatre of the Mind style - no gridded map.

Starting Positions: Please declare how close you want your character to be to the cart when you spring the ambush. Pageflap and Ryvid must be within 10 feet of the cart to execute their parts of the ambush, where as Ander and Sulprax can start further away. If you go beyond 30 feet from the cart you won't be able to interact with the cart as the hill slopes down and you lose sight. We'll assume you're all on the south bank to keep things simple, but during the course of the battle you could switch to the other bank.

Surprise: All player characters have surprise this round, so take two turns in a row. All the Night Blades are on the wagon, the top of which is flush with the top of the wall and is easy enough to hop off or onto the wagon onto either side of the wall.

Initiative

Group A: Heroes
1. Ander (waiting on starting position)
2. Pageflap (waiting on starting position)
3. Ryvid (waiting on starting position)
4. Sulprax (waiting on starting position)

Group B: Night Blades
1. Front row: Skeetz (Taken 10 damage, prone) and Night Blade A (Taken 10 damage, prone)
2. Back Row: Night Blade B and C.

Battlefield Features:

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1. Burning oil trench 10 feet behind wagon
2. Wagon loaded with barrels of flammable ale which bridges the north and south bank.
3. Light foliage lining the north and south banks along the path.
4. Six foot walls on either side of the cart track
5. Two frightened horses

says Pageflap as he throws an ice knife at the NightBlade sitting directly behind Skeetz, before retreating 25ft away from the wagon.

Pageflap's ice knife smashes into the Night Blade and shreds his surrounding brothers.

Ah so thesssse are the onesss Pageflap?

Sulprax takes a step forward, from in front of the cart, grasping his holy symbol to invoke divine favor. Once he's basked in the favor of Lendys he rears back with tatsumasa to the prone Skeetz.

The people of Whitesssssparrow don't think much of you or your comradesss. Our new friend hassss even lesssss esssteme for you. Hopefully your journey to the beyond issss assss quick and easssy assss you desssserve.

With that, he swings down invoking both his dueling feature and divine favor.

Surprise Round

After throwing the torch and watching to make sure the fire catches, Ryvid takes off down the wall, slinging a bullet at one hanging in the back (B).

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Initiative Win
Ryvid continues down the path gaining distance and slings another bullet, targetting the other in the back (C).

Round One: SurpriseStarting just over the crest of the hill (About 30-35 feet)
Ander steps to the top of the hill firing an arrow at the prone Skeetz, "Go get 'em, boy!", he shouts to his wolf companion, who begins loping down the hill to join the battle.Round Two
Canthus makes it to the bottom of the hill and leaps up toward the Night Blades, going for the throat.

Seeing his new allies descend upon the NightBlades, Pageflap gives a nod to himself. He feels write lucky to have run into them.

Raising his staff, he makes a sound of a crossbow being loaded before swinging it towards the NightBlades. Hoping to end the fight quickly and with the advantage of numbers, he aims his Magic Missiles all towards the NightBlade that looks to be the most injured after three constant assault they are being given.

SULPRAX: Skeetz recognizes the icy blast and the Barendd's voice.

"No! It can't be you!"

Motivated by survival, Skeetz just narrowly rolls out of the way of Sulprax's downswing.

RYVID: Ryvid's aim with his sling is unerring. He catches the first Night Blade (b) off balance and knocks him into the fire pit behind the wagon (extra 1d6 fire and 1d6 bludgeoning). The second (C) looks like he got punched in the stomach but manages to hold on.

ANDER & CANTHUS: Ander fires at Skeetz and yet his arrow still finds the mark, stabbing into his leg (8 damage). In a few heartbeats, the Night Blade that Ryvid has doubled over (C) is surprised with Canthus's snarling maw in his face! He screams in horror as the wolf bites into his flesh (9 damage)

Sulprax still has his 2nd turn to take, then it will be the Night Blade's turn.

Sulprax puts an end to Skeetz with his white-hot sword. He dies with a terrified look on his face, but whether that fear is from the Dragonborn above him or from his contemplation of his immortal soul, who can say?

The remaining two Night Blades finally manage to clear their weapons out of their scabbards, motivated by survival. One strikes at the wolf (13 damage), the other at the Dragonborn (3 damage).

ROUND THREE

1. Night Blade A ... AC: 11; 14 damage
2. Night Blade C ... AC: 11; 11 20 damage

Battlefield Features:

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1. Burning oil trench 10 feet behind wagon
2. Wagon loaded with barrels of flammable ale which bridges the north and south bank.
3. Light foliage lining the north and south banks along the path.
4. Six foot walls on either side of the cart track
5. Two frightened horses

Just 2 left... Player Characters are up!

Ander growls as Canthus is struck once and then again, sending his companion to the ground, where he turns into smoke and is drawn into Ander's bow. "You bastards!" he shouts and fires another arrow at the Night Blade that killed his friend.

Sulprax steps up onto the wagon, turns upon skeetz's friend at the front and stabs down with Tatsumasa, aiming at the throat.

Do you think we should take one alive Pageflap?

Ryvid draws another bullet and places it on his chest 'Deliver them from evil and guide my hand if you believe they deserve as such.' He places it in the pouch and launches it forward.

Ander's bow fails to find its mark, slamming into a barrel of ale. However, it shatters the taught, metal barrel ring, which springs up and slashes the man across the face. (10 damage as per the Lucky trait - which I realize means you pretty much cannot miss these guys!) He spits out a broken tooth and looks like he's going to run.

The Night Blade that struck Sulprax felt pretty good about getting a hit on the big lizard, but seeing the dragon man not even wince fills him with dread. He tries to block the big sword swing as it crashes down on him, and although it nearly breaks his arms to do it (12 damage), he holds off the searing blade. His sigh of relief is the last moment of his life; he will never know that Ryvid's bullet extinguished his flame (17 damage).

"Let us hear what this so-called Nightlord holds in store for us!" Pageflap says in Kit's voice, closing the distance so he's 20ft away before throwing his dagger at the bandit, taking care not to aim at anything vital.

Pageflap's dagger slams into the last Night Blade's shoulder. He loses his cool and makes a break for it over the opposite bank.

"If I may offer, we have a compromisssed barrel of wine that it would be unconssssccccionable to let go to wasssste. Perhapsssss we should imbibe asss we asssk our questionssss?"

As he talks to his companions he nonchalantly uses the broadside of his sword like a flyswatter on the escaping Night blade.

The Night Blade deftly dodges Sulprax's half-hearted strike. Thinking he's in the clear he let's out a little cry of joy and turns to run down the opposite bank.

And runs head-first into a tree, knocking him out.

Ryvid removes any weapons on the unconscious body and takes the rope from his bag and ties the remaining Night Blade to the tree he ran into. "Take what you will from him, Pageflap, he has wronged you the most." He raises his crook and taps the side of the Night Blades head to rouse him, after Pageflap has relieved him of anything he wants.

As the Night Blade falls, Ander marches down the hill, drawing his sword as he approaches, "He killed Canthus!" he snarls angrily, stopping several feet from the man and obviously struggling not to walk over and kill the man.

Sulprax stops Ander and pulls him close.
"Indeed he did, and jusssticccce will be yourssss. However, for now him being alive can be ussseeeful to ussss. Jusssticccce is everyone'ssss fate and ssssome patienccceee will grant you what you desssire. You have my word with Lendyssss assss my witnessssss.

"I do not think the end results are comparable; I only count three dead, all belonging to their side, your wolf is not amongst this count. This man's life is owed to Pageflap, not you; take that and you will find demons in it's wake." He switches languages, beginning with a soothing, sweet sounding dialect, switching mid-sentence to a harsher, rasp

Letting out a chuckle at seeing the NightBlade run into a tree, Pageflap walks up to him as he's being tied down and decides to take mercy on him by liberating him of the dagger in his shoulder and the money in his wallet. As he's at it, he looks for anything else of value before moving on to doing the same to the rest of the bodies, casting prestidigitation to get some of the blood out and put out as much of the fire as he can.

He takes a bit of glee taking Skeetz's stuff. He must have certainly feared his wizarding powers if he freaked out that much from his insult. Yes. That must have been it.

Ander lets out a low growl, like that of a wolf, and then snaps his blade back into its sheath. He takes a quick step forward and slaps the man hard across the face, "Wake up, we have questions!" he shouts.

Ander wakes the man. He moans in pain, but he seems more or less intact.

"Is this the part where I answer your questions and you let me live?" he asks sheepishly.

"I think you're far beyond that, friend. You've wronged this kenku and you vaporized this halfling's wolf. Answer truthfully and they may see it fit to give you at least an honorable death."

"To be fair, the wolf did bite me first. That's worth something, right? I mean if a wolf came up and bit you on your ass, you're not likely to just stand there and let it nibble."

"If it was wild, yes; I would defend my flock. That isn't the case here, this was a trained animal sicced on you; in that scenario, I'd surrender and rethink my life choices that lead to having an animal commanded to bite me. I think you already know what those choices were for you though...don't you?"

"Ssssome humility may sssserve you well Night blade. Bargaining and mercccccy have never been my sssstrong ssssuitsss, I can't imagine my friendssss are willing to exercccissse they're abilitiessss at the moment.

The Night Blade swallows hard.

"Not much sense of humour then." the man speaks, his voice hoarse from fear.

"I suppose a clean death is better than I deserve. But I ask one thing."

The bandit turns to Sulprax and points to his holy symbol.

"You really a man of Lendys? If I help out a man of the Gods with his mission, surely that'll count for something? You do the deed, you put in a prayer for me - and I'll answer true."

"It was Lendysss who ensssured that thossse who did evil actssss were rewarded with evil, that thosssse who did good recccceeeeived good, and thosssse who lived by the ssssssword died by the ssssword. He had no mercy in his ssssoul, nor forgivenessssss, and gave no ssssecond chancessss. That is the name that you invoke when asssking for pity? You musssst be a dessssperate man... Or one on the edge? One who lived a life of mediocrity? Who'ssss never sssstrayed too far from hisss lot in life? A victim of ccccircumsssstanccceee? Perhappsss at the lassst momentsss of your life you feel that one final act of morality will sssway your pendulum away from an eternity of torment?
Invoking my god in thisss manner would be a foolssss folly. He would have zero capacity for mercccyyy for you."

As Sulprax speaks and his hiss-like lisp becomes more pronounced sparks begin to develop as though his Dragonborn gift of fire is begging to be released.

Sulprax looks earnestly at Ander as he picks his next words carefully. After taking a calming breath he is able to control his tongue and sparks much more easily and he begins:

"However, we aren't, and mossst assssssuredly I am not Lendyssss. Mercccy of sssssome capacccity may be yourssss thisss day. You are not the one who dessssccccended upon Whitessssparrow like a plague. But you contributed. Your sssinssss are yourssss alone to deal with in the afterlife. How you reach the afterlife issss a ressssponsssibility that is upon our shoulderssss. And it issss not for ussss to perform evilsssss upon you asssss you would the people of thissss town. You have my word that given you keep to your honor that I will perform a ritual to ensssure that your transssgresssionsss will be weighed in the afterlife with no predjuidicccee, no holy rage on my part, no ssssmiting asss it were. From there it isss only what issss in your heart, your passsttt actionssss, and the whimssss of the divine that will determine your ultimate fate. That issss what I can offer you. A fair and balanccced ssslate upon which you can write your entire life'ssss journey for thosssse of the higher plane to judge. If that issss what you assssk for I will grant it. If your dying action issss in fact a betrayal of untruthssss then I will do everything I can to make sure that after passsing on you do anything but ressst in peacccce. What sssay you now? Are you ready to give ussss the information that the venerable and powerful Pageflap desssiresss?"

As he finishes he monologue Sulprax sheathes his long sword and unstraps the maul from his back to lean upon as he begins to rest and regain his composure after someone so desperately invoked the name of his deity that, in his mind, was tantamount to heresy. His mouth slowly begins to stop smoking and then completely stops as he collects himself.

The Night Blade's face is now white, his eyes wide with terror. All he can manage is nodding his head.

LOOT

4 Short Swords of reasonable quality
3 Heavy Crossbows*
3 Night Blade™ Cloaks*
15 Bolts*
60 Gold Pieces worth of coins in various denominations -

* The combustible items on the Night Blade in the fire pit were destroyed, but the metal items were salvageable

You have also acquired one wagon laden with barrels, along with the 2 horses. On closer inspection, only 2 of the barrels contain ale; the others contain various valuables of the townsfolk - silverware, jewelry, gilded heirlooms, and coins. A conservative estimate is 500 gp worth of valuables.

Our prize is the massssk, and whatever treassssuressss may lay under the town. The weaponssss you all may usssee asss you sssseee fit, though the trinketsss and treasuressss of the townsss common folk will need to be returned. Pageflap, oncccce we're ssssorted I trussst you know who can disssperssse thessse properly? Alsssso asss you contemplate your line of inquiry, Pageflap, I will sssample thisss ale, answering Lendysss'sss call isss thirsssty work.

The alcohol tastes like moonshine - strong but crude.

Ryvid helps Sulprax in the emptying of the ale barrel.

Pocketing the coins into his pouch to redistribute amongst the party (if they ask), Pageflap plays around with the blade for a bit to compare to his dagger. He then turns to the NightBlade, having waited for Sulprax's speech to be over. It was a rather impressive speech, and makes him hope that his future research doesn't lead to the conclusion that Lendys is the creator of the Kenku. Doesn't seem like the forgiving sort, that one.

Using various voices of the past, done dead, some alive, others that could go either way, Pageflap asks him to share more about events that occurred the past two weeks. The topics that would interest him the most would be the status of Kit and Torden, NightBlade security amongst the town and the tower, who among them has any keys, and if anything weird has been going on at the local inn.

The Night Blade stammers out his answers.

1. Kit and Torden are being held beneath the Lonely Tower in a subterranean barracks, along with the Night Lord's brother, Ralavaz, and a few Voidwater miners from Deepfathom Well. A guard detail of 4 Night Blades watches over them, which rotates at sun-down and sun-up each day.

This doomed complement of Night Blades were on their way just now to relieve the current crew.

2. The Night Blades now rule the town from Whitesparrow Keep, and have mostly abandoned the Lonely Tower except to use as a prison. Most of the Night Blades reside at the Summerspring Inn, which has become a site of depravity and debauchery. A few Night Blades disappeared in the hotsprings (probably drowned) and that area has been off limits since.

3. The Night Blades stands at 30 men now, or it did before the ambush anyway. A few new recruits were found among the townsfolk but most have been brought in from around the area. The Night Lord has declared Whitesparrow as a his fiefdom and is hiring men of action and few scruples to help him tighten his grip on it. He has ambitions to restart Deepfathom Well and reward his Night Blades with land and mining profits.

4. They have imported in a lot of alcohol from Katagia to keep the recruits happy.

5. You gather that the Night Lord has not been seen for a few days, seems to be preoccupied with his new keep and his plans for Deepfathom Well. Skeetz and a few veterans from the original crew have been in charge, keeping discipline as much as can be expected.

6. The Lonely Tower is barred rather than locked, so you'll need to get someone to remove the bar from the inside if you go through the front door. The protocol on secret phrases and whatnot has been lax, mostly relying on recognizing each other. Skeetz had been meaning to get on his men about that, given how much drinking goes on and how many new faces there are in the camp.

KIT AND TORDEN

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After days of healing, Kit and Torden began to patiently engineer their escape. Kit ran interference, charming the guards with tales suitably debauch for a bandit's tastes (without compromising his artistic integrity, of course). Torden worked the stone to eventually free rusty manacles, and Ralavaz's old skills came in handy for popping the locks.

During this time, Kit's charisma and the guards' loose tongues let slip enough information for you to piece together a picture of what has been happening in Whitesparrow.

When the time is right, you spring your trap. After discovering the guards will have their heads handed to them if the Night Lord's brother dies, Torden stages a fight with the old man, pretending to drown him in the shallow water. When the guards open the gate to intervene, Kit slaps the manacles on them and six of you beat the restrained Night Blades into submission.

Kit assumes the identity of one of the guards and leads the others down from the tower, one by one, to their demise. Torden and Kit do a search of the Lonely Tower with Ralavaz as tour guide while the miners stand guard:



Gardren's private chamber (far left) comes up with the most interesting details. In the old Arkasian war room you discover some interesting things:

0. You recover all of your equipment, which has been stored here.

1. A smooth golden rod, which the miners recognize as a magical device for controlling the old mining machinery that works Deepfathom Well. Although they have seen this device in illustration, they have never before used the defunct mining machines, instead extracting Voidwater through more dangerous and labour-intensive means. It bears similar design to the circular golden gates that you discovered below ground in the infested tunnels below the Summerspring Inn.

2. Correspondence between Gardren and unidentified investors from the distant canal city of Issica, near Torden's home mountain of Kaled Del. The powerful merchant guilds of this northern trading city have found buyers for Voidwater and have supplied Gardren's operation with arms and gold to secure Deepfathom Well for the exclusive use for the guilds.

3. Gardren's own letters, which record his megalomaniac ramblings. He is obsessed with torching the town that burned him so badly 20 years ago. He writes about a voice in the well that urges him to take control over Whitesparrow Keep and rule the valley as a king. His ambitions are nothing short of becoming the tyrannical ruler of his own city state, funded by Deepfathom Well and other secrets that he doesn't articulate clearly.

Pageflap waves at the two on the roof, glad that the fighting at the Lonely Tower has already been done for them. It is very relieving to find Kit's head still attached to his shoulders. And Torden as well, he supposes. He should really get to know that dwarf if they're gonna be liberating a town together.

"Well," Ander says, "It looks like they don't need as much help as you'd led us to believe!"

Since the fight with the Night Blades, Ander has explained the magic of his bow and its ability to reconstitute Canthus' body after some resting time, so he's in a much better mood now. He just doesn't like his friend feeling pain.

Perhapsssss introductionssss would be in order ssssome we're not making asssumptionsss basssed upon reputation. Then we can plan on how to help the town asss well.

Sulprax looks up to Torden and Kit

Would you like for usss to come inssside to you, or would you like to meet usss out here so you can enjoy sssome fresh air? Also what of Ralavez?

As the sun hits Kit's face, he closes his eyes and tries to feel pleasure in its warmth. The feeling is fleet. Well Torden, my dear, we made it this far, he sighs. Let us see how far our little escapade takes us before the inevitability of our fate befalls us. I do believe I have been able to convince enough of these ruffians that there is danger below us that must be fought. And even if my efforts have failed, I fear it is death that awaits us in any event.

He sighs again and forces a smile as he claps Torden on the back. Our choice now is a simple one! Face down the golden-masked Night Lord and suffer what will surely be a prolonged death at his villainous hands. Or travel below to suffer an equally painful, though assuredly swifter, death at the fiendish tentacles of the otherworldly Blight!

His smile fades as he considers beyond the two alternatives. My sincerest regret in all this is that there will be no one left to sing the songs and weave the tales of our heroic adventure and brave death. No poem, play, or song to commemorate our passing.

Well! He claps his hands. Fie on the dilly and a pox on the dally! Let us away! Kit seems genuinely cheerful as he turns to continue their escape. His grin gives way to shock as he sees a feathered arm waving in the distance. Pageflap? he asks meekly. Is that...? His spirits soar and his face beams as the woven tapestry of his certain doomed destiny begins to fray at the edges. I say, good show, old man!

Pageflap cocks his head in confusion. Old man? Was Kit talking about him? How old did he think he was?

Dismissing the thought, he gets off the wagon and heads towards the tower, having already prepared the bandages around his talons. Calling out to his new allies, he says, "That leafy shit on the hill is our secret defense! They call it 'tangleweed' and it is poisonous as fuck. If you walk through it, even along the path, it'll jump out and sting ya! But, we figured out if you piss on yer boots, the fuckers will ignore you completely. Hope you lads had yer fill water on the way up! Not a good time for yer wee warriors to be shy, if you know what I mean."

"You...You want us to piss on ourselves?" Ryvid asks a bit shocked, looking down at his feet to his simple sandals.

Ssssome pissss spilled on one'ssss sssself ssseemssss preferable to more bloodshed. Esssspeccccially for a creature that issss jussst living itssss life. Sulprax whips out his dragonborn wiener and does the deed.

"I do believe that is Pageflap! Before long this town will have two revered avian heroes instead of one." Torden nudges Kit with his elbow. "Hehe watch 'em piss on their boots for the tangleweed! Hehe!"

"Piss on our boots? You've got to be kidding..." Ander says in disbelief, trying to figure out if Pageflap is just joking or being serious.

Pageflap shakes his head, he's not kidding. He goes on to repeat some of the rumors he heard before about Nightblades doing the same thing, as well as warnings about Strangleberries.

The group makes their way through the tangleweed and around Strangleberries without incident, and meets up with Kit, Torden, and the miners. As Pageflap shares notes with his Kit and Torden, you might find yourselves appreciating the view from the top of the hill. You can see down to Whitesparrow, where the only lights you can see are coming from the Summerspring Inn, the new home of the Night Blades. The huge ebon hand that juts from the ground looks especially strange from this distance, the lights of the inn dancing off its shiny surface giving it the appearance of motion. Whitesparrow Keep is dark as the day you arrived, even though it is now supposedly occupied.

"Nightblades...like the ones we just killed; your enemy, those Nightblades... Have you tested this yourself or do you simply believe everything you hear?"

"So, where do we start from here? Seems like the inn or the keep are our best options," Ander says, looking over the town and rubbing his bow, missing Canthus.

Pageflap mentioned a sheriff and othersss being ssslowly ssstarved while on dissssplay to the town, perhapsssss a ressscue issss in order?

It is 8pm on a cloudless autumn evening. You are 4 hours outside of the town of Whitesparrow, high up on the valley ridge. The now-liberated Lonely Tower, former HQ of the Night Blades is at your back. You can see the whole valley from here, and make note of the current status of the town (as posted here). You are in possession of the wagon full of valuables and alcohol, as well as the wagon and horses. Three miners and the former leader of the Night Blades, Ralavaz, have joined your cause.

From your observations of the Night Blades operations, the Night Blades in town are likely going to be expecting the wagon to return this evening - assuming they're sober enough to notice.

Ander shakes his head, "We don't have enough disguises, do we?" he asks, "Perhaps, if we want to pretend to deliver the wagon, a couple of us can hide in some of those barrels?"

Pageflap waves his arm to get everyone's attention, then reaches into his backpack. He pulls out his spell book and pulls out a page that was tucked into it, showing it to everyone.
Afterwards, he to flips his book open to a blank page and takes out his quill and ink and begins writing. After a few seconds, he shows the party his perfectly forged recreation of the note, tilting his head to silently ask if maybe they can forge orders from Gardren.

My dear, Andrew was it? I believe disguises are the least of our worries, Kit says as he pulls out a couple of the "liberated" Night Blade Cloaks.

Ander shoots Kit a dirty look, "It's Ander," he says, correcting the man, "We got four cloaks when we liberated this wagon here. I see that you had the presence of mind to take some on your way out of the tower. Good thinking, there! Well, then, what's the plan looking like, then? Just waltz right in like nothing happened and pretend to be part of the crew?"

Hmmm. Ander? Ander. I'm not certain how that will read from the stage. Kit uses his hands to motion from his stomach up to his throat and then spreads his hands to indicate projecting from his mouth. One must always think how the sound flows from the diaphragm up through the throat and out to the audience. Projecting to the back of the room is the key, dear boy, and I'm not quite certain "Ander" works in that respect. Let us put a pin in that and come back to it later.

"From the stage? Are you an actor or playwright, then?" Ander asks, curious about his odd companion.

Am I...? Kit begins, a stunned look on his face. He looks behind him then back at Ander. Am I an actor or playwright? Why, I'm Kit Marlowe, my good man! Kit beams proudly, waiting for the inevitable shock of recognition and sudden fawning admiration. When it doesn't seem to be forthcoming, he repeats, Kit Marlowe.

Kit, he says patiently.

Marlowe.

He taps his foot a moment, then plants his fists on his hips, an annoyed look on his face. Kit Marlowe! Surely you've heard of me! Why the success of my play "Timur the Lame" has spread my name to the corners of the map! When this doesn't seem to do the trick, he turns to Pageflap. I say, Pageflap, old boy, where did you find these rustics? I realize I am far from home, but between "Timur the Lame" and the notoriety of "The King's Man," how did you manage to dig up someone who has not heard the name Kit Marlowe?

Ander shakes his head, "My apologies, Kit," Ander says with a bow, "I have not heard of you. I once traveled the land with a group of entertainers, but that was many years now or I'm sure I would have heard of you. I spent most of the last decade at war with the goblin and orc tribes of the North."

Ander's bow assuages Kit's ego somewhat, and his eyes widen in delight at the prospect of hearing about the entertainers Ander traveled with. Traveling entertainers? How delightful! Why, my dear, you must tell me all about them! Were they minstrels? Vaux de Vires? Trouveres? Dramatists? Mummers? Strollers? You must tell me when this was! Perhaps there would be a name or two familiar to me? Ah, those days seem so long ago for me! And yet the circumstances dear Pageflap and I have found ourselves in these few months have brought much of it back to me. You must list your ports of call! No doubt some of them will be my old haunts!

Kit will continue on in this vein until someone stops him or reminds him that they are other issues needing attention.

"We have more presssing matterssss at the moment. A town held hossstage. Pageflap thatssss an interesting idea the forgery, unfortunately my handssss are not well sssuited for that. You mentioned the Underground cavern with portalssss of magic meansss perhapsssss a ssssurprisssse attack from underneath?

Kit momentarily bristles at the interruption, but once the full weight of Sulprax's voice falls upon his ears, his eyes widen in shock and horror. Oh. My. Gods. That has to be the single worst lisp I have ever encountered in my entire life! He begins shaking his head vigorously. No. No. No. Nononono. This simply will not do. Oh, you poor, poor dear. Is this congenital? Or is it the result of an injury suffered later in life? Kit begins looking along Sulprax's jawline and throat for signs of scarring. Kit pats him gently on the arm. No matter, no matter. Stick with me, my sibilant friend! A few simple vocal exercises and I'll have that voice of yours whipped into such shape that you will no longer have to hang your head in shame when speaking in public! Kit pauses for a brief moment and mutters, Or, perhaps several intense exercises. My word, such a horror.

"My tongue isss my own. It isss my heritage, and my birthright. I apprecccciate your concccern, though I feel it would be better placcced with the town and the Night Bladessss. Plussss it isss directly resssponsssible for my ability to breathe fire, which issss talent that mosssst thessspiansss I've met that have tried to emmulate do ssssome poorly with the aid of fuel and a sssspark."

As the conversation continues, Pageflap has already emptied one of the barrels of most of it's treasure, leaving enough for him to bury himself in, just in case a NightBlade wants to inspect the contents before a surprise attack can be sprung.

He also checks to see if he can find a valuable enough pearl to use with his magic. At least 100gp in value, he recalls.

And a casting of Detect Magic, in case there are any magic heirlooms in there.

Ralavaz emerges from the lower levels of the Lonely Tower. He's donned the armour and weapon of one of the Night Blades and carries in his hand the golden rod recovered from Gardren's private quarters. He hands the rod to Torden and asks:

"If you fellas could use an extra sword, I'd like to help. I've got a lot of wrongs to right and not a lot of time left to do it."

"Ralavaz I presssume? The one who brought the blight upon the people? It looksss like Lendysss hasss brought judgement upon you already. You know your fate and that your time isss short. You mussst know that, onccce done, wrongsss cannot be righted. But you can make effortsss to ressstore balanccce and jusssticcce. That isss a noble enough pursssuit. You ssseem to have earned enough of Torden and Kit for you to move freely and be armed. You have my trussst for thisss misssssssion. Do you have any adviccce assss to moving forward?

Pageflap rummages through the barrels. Much to his delight, he discovers a pearl earring with an iridescent sheen that looks like it will do nicely. The inscription reads "Lady Winter."

The Detect Magic spell also reveals a few finds, loot that you immediately recognize from Gavun Grayhorn's outfitter shop. You find the Clockwork Amulet, the Tankard of Sobriety, and the Enduring Spellbook.

Torden studies Ralavaz as he accepts the rod. "Now that you have my trust you'd best not break it." the dwarf then turns to the others. "So what's the plan? I wager dressing up as Nightblades will only get us as far as the first guard post. A distraction is in order for us to get to Gardren. I wonder if there's any way we can control Strangleberries over there?"

"I appreciate your trust. Truth be told, I don't have much insight on my brother or his operation. I do know is that he's possessed by madness and illusions of grandeur, and he won't stop until he is six feet in the ground."

The gargoyle above the Lonely Tower's entrance suddenly moves, dust shaking loose from the surrounding mortar. You had almost forgotten it even can speak, having been a few weeks since you last saw it animate.

"Ah, I can recall when Strangleberries was a mere snarl of twigs."

Pageflap gives a squawk of delight and pockets the earring. The name sounds familiar, someone Iman met a few weeks ago. She's probably not gonna use it for a while, so Pageflap opts to make use of it for now. He'd probably get to keep it if they save the town anyways.

The enduring spell book is also a tempting target for his talons, and he opens it up to see if any pages are filled in already, pages flapping loudly as he does so.

His head shoots up at the gargoyle's words. He forgot that thing was there. "Oh, hello little bird. What are you doing all the way out here?" he says, using the voice of this one nice lady he met once.

The gargoyle acknowledges Pageflap eagerly.

"Oh are you - talking? To me? It has been so long since I have conversed with someone civilized! How may I be of service, oh great feathered Lord?"

Ander looks curiously over the items, but doesn't have any idea what they do at this point so he just shrugs.

He then turns to the gargoyle and cocks his head to the side; gargoyles are outside of his experiences. "So... what's your name?" he asks, trying to be polite.

Ryvid approaches Ralavz "Would you consider your brother a betting man? Or at least one that can't refuse a risk that carries heavy benefits?"

The ancient gargoyle makes a grinding sound as it slowly turns to Ander.

"In the last 100 years, I've most commonly been called Lonely - not counting obscenities of course - and it is a fitting name as any."

Ralavaz answers Ryvid's question without hesitation: "Yeah, that describes Gardren. To a tee."

Pageflap fastens one of the NightBlade cloaks over his cloak of protection. A good look at him and any NightBlade should be able to remember that one of the only Kenku around is on the opposite side, but it may give him an edge at sneaking around should they not be looking at him hard enough.

As he does so he begins speaking in the voice of Gavin Grayhorn, explaining what each of the items do. The Enduring Spell book is already open, Pageflap having decided to begin copying his unprepared spells into it. His need of 30 gold for the transferring of his three ritual spells has been paid for by the generous Skeetz.

Ryvid gives a nod to Ralavaz and turns to group "What is our plan for Gardren? I have an idea with the cloaks and that tankard. They do not know my face, I assume I can enter town freely. I toss the cloaks in front of Gardren and challenge him to a drinking contest; I win and he leaves town, he wins and I join him. One man supposedly equal to his seven (or nine) joining his side I feel is a gamble he'd take. He is not my scorn though, I'd like the input of those he has wronged."

A drinking contest! Delightful! I shall accompany you! For an hour, I will be able to appear as anyone I choose. And in a perfect imitation of Ryvid's voice, Kit adds, And, of course, being an actor, I can imitate whomever I choose!

Ralavaz muses for a moment.

"It's worth a shot anyhow. In this line of work, you can't look weak - he'll definitely have to react to your challenge. But beware, he'll be more interested in defeating you in front of his men than gaining your service. There's no limit to how low he'll stoop to win."

"We heard he's taken the keep on the edge of town. How do we gain an audience?"

Ryvid looks to Kit, a look of anguish mixed with a bit of anger "Please, do not steal my voice; it is mine and mine alone." He turns to Ralavaz "You say 'in this line of work, you can't look weak', throwing down several cloaks of his own will grab his attention. I am not from here, my face is not known, I am not known, my purpose is not known. I gain audience by wanting it and owning it."

"A gutsy move," Ander says with a nod, "At the least, it should get you close at the least."

I feel mysssself a bit consssspicuoussss perhapssss I would be better off in another role? The former sheriff needsss ressscuing ssstill if I'm not misssstaken.

Pageflap boss along with Sulprax. He hovers his pen over a blank sheet of paper, clicking his beak in a manner that makes it sound like a heavy lock being released. Perhaps they can get the NightBlades guarding them to release them into the party's care?

Ralavaz thinks some more on what Sulprax and Pageflap say.

"The drinking contest will definitely cause a distraction, making a rescue mission a lot easier."

"I think I'd be of more help with the rescue attempt," Ander says.

Pageflap gives a nod to Ander, then hands the Tankard of Soberity to Ryvid. He shakes his head while saying "Poison," telling him that while it will help him with the dirty, dirty cheating Pageflap fully endorses, it won't protect against Gardren cheating back. He looks towards Ralavaz, wondering if the Night Lord would be the type to do that.

"I would love to take a crack at Gardren but I think I'd better help with the rescue."

Ryvid takes the tankard "I do not fear poison, nor death; if that is the course Gardren wishes to take, his body will fall before mine." he responds to Pageflap stoically "I'll leave the cart, it will help carry those you are saving away. I ask for all the cloaks though; the more I have, the more capable I appear."

Pageflap takes off the NightBlade cloak he put on and hands it to Ryvid, conceding that he has a point. He hops onto the back of the cart and continues copying down ritual spells into his book. It's four hours to town, so he should have time to do so and forge the note to release the prisoners.

The party heads back to Whitesparrow on the wagon, cargo still in tow. The gargoyle sighs a heavy sigh and resumes its lonely watch over the valley.

After nearly four hours, you find yourself cresting a hill just outside of town. The path you are on slopes down the hill and fords a small river, and then leads to the center of town. You can see many of the buildings are burned; still standing is the Summerspring Inn, the Evershady Tavern, and the Raishe's temple. From within the Summerspring Inn, the sounds of revelry and debauchery flow. Three Night Blades can be seen at the entrance. In the distance, the massive cyclopean ebony hand reaches from beneath the bowels of the earth, reflecting starlight in the dark.

In the center of town is a ring of heads on spears, belonging to the fallen Heroes of Whitesparrow: Aegar, Barendd, Iman, and Raishe.

The Keep is further north and isolated from the town upon a steep hill. You can see torches lit on the battlements and shapes moving along them. There are five cages suspended from the battlements, but it is impossible to make out who is in them from this distance. Most the rest of the details are obscured in darkness or behind the surrounding fence and foliage of Keep's garden. A path runs up the south face of the hill into the Keep's dark garden, through a gate which is swinging in the wind.

Ryvid removes a flask from his robe and fills it with drink from one of the remaining barrels, corking it an putting it back. As they near the town, he tosses the cloaks over his shoulder, dunks the tankard in the barrel to fill it, and nods to Kit as he hops off the wagon.

I sssuposse we should have a plan. Would either of you want to ssstart with trying to pick the locksss of the prisssonersss ressstraintsss or should I plan on usssing my maul as a lockpick? Sssubtlety hasss never been my sstrong sssuit.

Indeed, my sibilant associate! The script! Kit turns to Ryvid. Tell me, my dear shepherd, how shall I relate to the Night Lord your method of dispatch? If I am to portray the villainous Skeetz, how did you come to best my compatriots, and how is it I managed to survive? He pauses too briefly for anyone to respond before continuing. Though young Skeetz has, in the past, proven himself resourceful on that front. Mayhaps I begged for my life, offering you promise of audience with the golden-masked ruler of these brigands. A wink and a nod to let my master know I have lured yet another foolish adventurer into a trap.

Kit again pauses, appearing to grow maudlin. He moves next to Pageflap and grips his shoulder. I say, old man, it fills my heart to see you again. I had thought you lost along with the rest of our friends. Though I wish I had been there, it is good that you have revenged them upon the damnable Skeetz. The rest will soon follow. You have become, noble Kenku, the beacon of our friends, the burning torch in yonder turret, shining as a comet of revenge, a prophet to the fall of all our foes!

"I'm no good with locks," Ander replies to Sulprax, "Breaking the chains may be the best way unless there's someone else who can pick the locks?"

"The cloaks will speak for themselves; let his imagination run wild with how I procured them. Follow your heart with what you think is beneficial and I will follow mine. If you find yourself lost, follow my lead."

KIT & RYVID

---

The two of you make your way to the castle, shrouded in darkness. You climb the hill it sits upon and come upon the rusty metal fence that separates the long dead Lord Whitesparrow's garden from the outside world. The gates are not far and not attended; they swing free in the chill autumn breeze, creaking and clattering.

Ryvid nods forward to the gate and looks at Kit "Go."

Pageflap looks towards the poles with the dead heroes' heads as Kit finishes his speech. The group only travelled together for a month, but it was a good month and much preferable to traveling alone. He gives Kit a nod, before turning to Ander.

He makes a so-so gesture with his hand and then casts prestidigitation, conjuring some lockpicks. They are not of the highest quality, but they may be able to do the job if the locks aren't complex enough. Pageflap himself may be able to do the job, but during the past two weeks Ander's fingers looked to be more nimble than his own.

As Kit and Ryvid head over to confront the Night Lord, he starts heading around towards the prisoners, taking some blades to arm whoever he sees to be healthiest.

KIT & RYVID

---

The two of you stride forward through the gates, into an overgrown garden that has been somewhat hacked and cleared in recent days to make passage through the courtyard possible. There is a large fountain (not currently working) depicting a larger-than-life Kenku in white marble. The statue holds a book in one hand and a scepter in another, denoting his royal rank. This is likely a depiction of Lord Whitesparrow, the albino Kenku from whom this town derives its name. It looks like whoever was in charge of cleaning this fountain gave up about 2/3rds into the job, as the statue is still draped in vines and the basin of the fountain choked with weeds.

Beyond the fountain, you face the castle's south-facing wall loom 30 feet high. In the center is set a big iron portcullis, currently closed. Dim light is coming from behind the arrow slits of the guard house adjacent to the gate, set into the stone wall.

On top of the south-facing wall, you see 5 gibbets hanging from the battlements, 25 feet from the ground. They sway in the cool wind, their metal frames scraping nauseatingly against the stone.

The garden wraps around the rectangular castle to the east and west.

ANDER, PAGEFLAP, SULPRAX, & TORDEN

---

Ralavaz and the miners accept the gear you provide them. Ralavaz notes how the miners hold their blades awkwardly.

"I don't doubt their hearts but I'm not sure they're gonna hold up well in a fight. Anything else we can get can get them to do?"

Odric, the most senior of the three miners steps forward.

"We're willing to take the risk. We've known these people our whole lives. We can't stand just stand by and let this happen."

Pageflap gives Odric a thumbs up, then heads towards the bushes, waving for them to follow. He holds a finger to his beak, signaling to be quiet.

He begins sneaking towards the prisoners, keeping an eye out for night blades.

Security is lax, and the 8 of you make swift progress through the night unhindered. Sorrow's azure light. You follow in Ryvid and Kit's footsteps, making your way to the castle gate. Beyond it, you see much the same scene as Kit and Ryvid did before you, except there is no sign of a gate keeper at the portcullis.

Torden looks from Pageflap, to Ander, the lockpicks, and back to Pageflap. He whispers, "Well, is someone picking those locks, or do Sulprax and I use our not so subtle methods?"

Ander nods and takes the picks, attempting to open the locks.

Odric clears his throats and speaks up: Uh, boss, might help if we get up there first. We got the main portculls ahead but it's closed, see? You hero types might be able to climb up too, I dunno. You know better than us. "

Odric turns to Ralavaz: "See, I told you we'd be useful!"

Ah sssooo sssome climbing issss in order. Assss minersss I asssume you have sssome exxxxperiencccee with climbing and ropesss. Would you be able to climb ahead of ussss and lower a rope ssso our climb might be easssier?

Excited to help, Pageflap gleefully opens his book to his pages of previously plotted plans and points towards his idea of tying torches to a rope to make a crude ladder.

Odric responds to Sulprax, clearly a bit scared of the Dragonborn juggernaut.

"I, uh, don't think I could make that climb."

He gestures to the smooth castle wall.

"They usually make them hard to climb on the outside. Keeps people out, ya know? On the inside, there'd be some stairs to get up there. And, as the narrator said, there appears to be no guard at his post in the gate house here."

He elbows Ralavaz in the ribs: "See, that's twice now I've been useful!"

After hearing Pageflap's plan, he confesses: "Aye, a ladder would do the job, just gotta throw it up there and get it to gain purchase on the parapet. And quiet-like, in case they've set a patrol or something."

Ander looks at the rope attached to his pack and smiles mischievously, thinking of a job that he and his friend Dorak the Giant had pulled off at an orcish 'keep'. "Hey, Sulprax... do you think there's any way you could get me to the top of this wall with a rope around my waist?"

KIT & RYVID

Kit has managed to convince the Night Blade named Schneider thatKit is in fact Skeetz, and the two of your have convinced Schneider to acquiesced to Ryvid's demands for an audience with The Night Lord, in exchange for Ryvid's weapons.

Schneider leads you beyond the gatehouse and through the inner courtyard. You can see at least four crossbow-wielding Night Blades manning the walls, all of whom are staring down towards you guys instead of watching the walls. Schneider leans in to Skeetz (Kit), and mutters:

"You haven't been inside yet. Its pretty fucking creepy. I know the boss says its full of treasure, but I'll be happy when I never have to see this place again."

Schneider opens the big oak doors of the two-story keep, and the sound of a mad, lone voice singing in a reverberant hall fills your ears:

Knees up Mother Brown
Knees up Mother Brown
Under the table you must go
Ee-aye, Ee-aye, Ee-aye-oh
If I catch you bending
I'll saw your legs right off
Knees up Mother Brown ...

As you are escorted through the well-lit cloakroom, it takes a moment for your eyes to adjust to the bright lamp light. You smell burning oil and pine, and your boots crunch on twigs. As your eyes adjust, it looks as if the keep was at one point completely overgrown with roots and the Night Blades have been hacking through them them to clear them out, stacking them in the cloakroom. The room is uncomfortably hot.

Schneider leads you into the arched-ceiling great hall, where the golden-masked Night Lord sits upon a throne, singing, attended by four Night Blades. All the hearths in the hall are lit and roaring, and one of the bandits is busy tossing more chords of wood from a large pile into the bonfires.

The throne is most peculiar of all. Though it looks like it was once regal, it is now covered in strange roots. Two throbbing, violescent masses adorn the top of the chair.

The Night Lord sees Skeetz and the stranger being escorted in by Schneider. He abruptly stops his song, rises, and angrily tosses his mask onto the seat.

"What is the meaning of this? I told you: no interruptions tonight, Schneider."

Ryvid wastes no time and pushes past Kit and Schneider, walking to the Night Lord. Reaching the throne, he tosses the tower of Night Blade cloaks to the floor, in front of the Night Lord and stares at him. He takes a sip from his tankard "You the Night Lord?"

Too fucking right it's creepy! Kit says in Skeetz's voice. Where'd all these vines come from? And why's it so fucking hot?

The four Night Blades immediately take up formation around the Night Lord, hands on their weapons. Kit recognizes that two are wearing the Cloaks of Protection that belonged to Barendd and Aegar. A third wields Iman's terrible glaive. The fourth wields Raishe's warhammer.

The Night Lord's eyes narrow.

"I'm not in the mood for jokes Shepherd. You have one chance to explain yourself, and it had better be good," the Night Lord snaps, a sharp contrast to the casual song he was performing a moment ago. He looks to Schnieder and Skeetz as well, as if the consequences of that threat will apply to them as well.

Ok my sssmall throwable friend, niccceee and easssy...

Sulprax tosses the Halfling ever-so-gently to the top of the wall, with just the right amount of force. Ander carries the rope on his way, and easily sticks the landing.

At a glance, Ander estimates that the wall itself is about 10 feet thick and 200 ft. long, forming a square with the other four walls. Below is a courtyard, and within that is the main keep.

From up here, you can see the cages are indeed suspended by chains, which are slotted into metal rings set the stone parapet. A long pin secures the chain at its current height, and a long line of slack chain is coiled on the ground. It looks easy enough to low the cages to the ground, which is likely how they were loaded in the first place.

Before you can get a better look at things, you realize there are four post guards at the four corners of the castle wall, each armed with crossbows.

Pageflap looks to Sulprax and then to Ander, mentally whistling to himself. He didn't know one could throw someone somewhere that high with that finesse. He resolves to learn more about his new comrades after the whole NightBlade situation has blown over.

Ander flips over four times as he sails through the air and looks as though he's going to slam down, but comes out of the controlled spin moments before landing and makes barely a sound.

Ander lands with a soft thud. He sees that the guards don't seem to notice him. In fact they seem to be looking inward, into the castle courtyard, instead of outward. The closest guards to your east and west are each 100 feet away in opposite directions, and the other two are on the far corners of the square castle wall, another 200 north.

"Do I look the type to make jokes?" Ryvid responds his face unflinching, deadpan. "One chance... Well, to put it simply," He gestures to the cloaks he threw to the floor "I grew bored of killing your men; too one sided, you know. I figured, what is the point of killing and killing and killing your men when I can just skip to their leader. Instead of killing you though, I propose something that is beneficial to the both of us; a drinking contest. I win, you leave this town with your men; no more cloaks piled up at your feet. You win, I pledge my loyalty to you and with me, my power; I'll leave you to be the judge of it."

Odric swallows hard as he watches you all ascend the rope.

If it's all the same with you, we'll wait here for you to open the gate. We will definitely break our necks if we try that.

Ralavaz nods in agreement.

"Maybe 10 years ago I could do that, but I'll be wheezing so hard by the time I get to the top that every Night Blade in town will know we're coming."

KIT AND RYVID

---

The other Night Blades shift uncomfortably at Ryvid's story, gripping their weapons tighter. But the Night Lord begins shaking slightly, and so badly burned is his face that it takes a moment before you realize he is laughing. The unstable laughter grows near-hysterical, echoing through the hall. When he regains his composure,

"Skeetz, did you witness these feats? I assume that is why the mighty shepherd has spared you. Speak up!"

ANDER, PAGEFLAP, SULPRAX & TORDEN

---

Those of you at or near the top of the wall hear a loud, insane cackling rolling out of the Keep. One of the guards from the far side of the wall signals to the others and makes for the stairs down to the courtyard to see what's up.

Pageflap rubs his hands together and then attempts his own climb.

Ander lowers the rope down after securing it, resisting the temptation to kill the guards while they are unaware. He assists his comrades ascend in any way that he can

"Skeetz" shuffles his feet nervously. Uh, yeah, boss. He hit the supply cart, he says meekly. Fucker killed most everyone before we knew he was there. Pure luck I survived long enough to bargain. I uh, told him I could take him to the boss. Skeetz looks up at the night lord with a murderous glint in his eye. When I done that before, he says meaningfully, it worked out pretty good. He goes back to his meek shuffling and glances sidelong at Ryvid. Don't know if he can drink, though.

The Night Lord considers the Skeetz's words.

"Yes, I suppose this is the second time you've brought outsiders into my home. That's a nasty habit you've gotten yourself into SKeetz. A nasty habit."

He turns back to Ryvid.

"A drinking contest? I prefer a fighting contest myself. An I nominate my champion: the brave, loyal Skeetz. To the death, of course."

The masses by the throne weirdly convulse at the mention of death, in unison. The other night blades glance uneasily at them, repositioning to keep an eye on them as well.

ANDER, PAGEFLAP, SULPRAX, AND TORDEN

---

The climb up is rough. Multiple times Torden, Pageflap, and Sulprax slip and injure themselves (8 damage). However, you manage to keep quiet enough to make it to the top without alerting anyone.

On the way up, you pass between two cages. Pageflap and Torden recognize Sheriff Willowmane in one, and her brother Matthew in the other. Although the sheriff is unconscious is appears Matthew is awake and alert.

Odric and the two miners, along with Ralavaz, remain on the ground.

Once you get to the top and are reunited with Ander, what do you do? The situation is much as it was in this post, although now there are only 3 guards - two within 100 feet, and the third another 200 feet away from that.

Torden whispers, "Ander, Pageflap, get to work lowering those cages. No doubt Ralavaz can unlock them. Sulprax and I will watch the guards." the dwarf sticks a finger in his mouth and holds it up, wet, to gauge the wind.

"I did not waste my time coming here to fight your lackeys, Gardren. I have already won the fight against Skeetz and the men he was with; he is only here now because he was my bridge to you." Ryvid motions to the pile of cloaks "I think you already know this though. I came here to avoid needless bloodshed, to not diminish your group to meager numbers, to allow you the chance to keep some semblance of your group or, in the event of me losing, not join a group that has been diminished. The only question left now is, do you decline my challenge out of fear or ineptitude?"

Ander shrugs and sets his bow down for a moment to begin working with the Kenku on lowering the cages to the ground below.

B-but boss! "Skeetz" stammers, "struggling" against his bindings. He killed a bunch of your men! I brought him here so's you could finish him before he got to more night blades!

The Night Lord looks down his nose at Skeetz, without even so much as glancing back at the pulsing masses by the throne. His town turns jovial for a moment:

"Save your own ass, you mean! I know you, Skeetz! And I can appreciate cowardice in a lackey, I really can. Easier to keep a coward in line than man with integrity. But this ... "

The Night Lord's face darkens, his voice deepens and twinges with rage.

"Twice now you have brought interlopers past my gates and into my stronghold. You had better step carefully, Skeetz. Very carefully."

Next, he turns to the shepherd, a bit of humour returning to his tone.

"And you, shepherd. Really, a drinking contest? What are we, old chums settling a score? But very well, if it is a drinking contest you want, a drinking contest you shall get! Skeetz and Schneider, since you brought this character into my walls, you'll have the honour of hauling up a barrel from the cellar."

Schneider turns a bit pale, clears his throat, and stammers "Yes boss. Sorry boss." and reluctant starts walking away from the room.

"In the meantime, tell me your tale, shepherd. What bone do you have to pick with the Night Blades?"

Okay Ander is going to start lowering the cages, what do Pageflap, Sulprax, and Torden want to do?

A good plan Torden, Ander and Pageflap let me know if you require any aid in your endeavor.

With that, as Ander and Pageflap get to work lowering the cages Sulprax takes out his maul to use in a manner similar to a walking stick, just in case his and Torden's watch turns into a melee.

Ryvid shakes his head "No bone to pick. Night Blades, Afternoon Spoons, Morning Forks; I'm not interested in who more so as the what." He holds up a hand, similar mimicking the town hand protruding from the ground "I have a thing for hands; they are so simple, yet so complex." He looks back to the Night Lord "I don't have any bone to pick with you; which is why I'm here offering a drinking contest instead of continuing my slaughter."

As "Skeetz" and Schneider head off to grab a barrel, he overhears Ryvid's professed affinity for the simple complexity of hands. "Skeetz" leans in toward Schneider and mutters, Fuckin' weirdo, that one is.

ANDER, PAGEFLAP, TORDEN & SULPRAX

---

Torden gently rolls a blanket of fog over the castle wall, obscuring your movements. You work quickly to lower the cages, and you can see Ralavaz, Odric and the miners working carefully to free them. Once free, you barely recognize any of them from the dark and distance. From the way the men look like they're dragging dead weight though, you're not even sure if any survived. Probably in need of significant healing at best.

Ralavaz gives an all clear signal before disappearing into the dark garden with the rest of them.

Those of you on lookout watch as the far guard eventually abandons his post and approaches the near turret and strikes up a conversation. It is only a matter of time before they notice the fog. One of the pair hastily makes his way for the stairs that descend down the courtyard and toward the main keep. The other two guards maintain their posts, staring intently into the fog.

RYVID

---

The Night Lord seems to enjoy Ryvid's response, clapping his hands together in delight at the end.

"I assure you, shepherd, hands are not simple. Next time you have need to interrogate a man, peal back thr skin of his hands and see the workings of the muscles. Cut away the flesh to see the intricate bones.

But back to the matters at hand. Tell me shepherd, how is it that you got the better of my men? Are you a sorcerer of great power? Or an Arkasian knight of old, stepping forth from the pages of a story book?"

KIT

---

Schneider leads you to the kitchen, grabbing lamps for both of you. As he is opening the trap door into the cellar he responds to your observation.

""Which one? Gardren's got worse, Skeetz. He spends all his time with those things, singing to them, caressing them. I mean, he's always been crazy but I used to think it was an act to keep the riff raff in line. But this is something else, man.

He lights a lamp and reluctantly descends into the cellar with you, which is a tangled nightmare of blight vines wrapped around wine barrels. Grubs scurry away from the light.

"I am simply a man with nothing to lose and training on how to kill." Ryvid stares down the Night Lord "I do not know many stories, I focused my time on honing my weapons. I do know of one though...it was common tale in the military. I do not know how old it is but may perhaps, you've heard it too. It's of a boy, hardly a teen, defending his town against a mercenary goliath. My strengths lie in weapon play, not storytelling; the boy killed this goliath, a man at least twice his size with a single stone. I'm afraid I forgot how the story ends though."

Don't tell me things like that, Schneider! "Skeetz" hisses. Gardren's already lookin' for an excuse ta string me up without you talkin' about him bein' crazy. He pauses to try and take a closer look at the blight tentacles and grubs, trying to see if there's still time to destroy what has been growing.

When one of the grubs scurries away, he jumps (not entirely an act) and grabs Schneider's arm. But, uh, just between you and me, what do you mean "caressing them"? Do they look like they're talkin' back to him? What are the others saying about it?

Should we try to take out the guardsss asss their attention isssn't on their possstsss?

Pageflap looks up from looking at the forest to watch the prisoners escaping and gives Sulprax a nod. He turns his attention to the guards and pulls out his staff.

Torden nods and whispers, "First, we take out that one headed for the main keep. Then the rest. But quietly - we don't want the alarm raised!" At that, the dwarf prepares to cast a spell.

ANDER, PAGEFLAP, SULPRAX & TORDENROUND ONE

PCs have surprise - your foes do not get to act in the first round.

Initiative Order
1. PCs
2. 3 Night Blade Guards

Ranges: At the top of the round, there is a guard making his way down a staircase to the courtyard 115 ft. away, a guard to the west 100 ft. away and a guard to the east 100 ft. away. You are currently within a 20 ft. radius Fog Cloud centered between the east and west guards. The guard going down the staircase has about 115 feet to go to make it to the keep.

Lighting: The land is bathed in the dim blue light from Sorrow, so disadvantage on perception checks but not attacks.

Special Features

1. Castle walls, 30 ft. high
2. The Fog Cloud*
3. Big iron chains with cages attached to them.
4. A barracks building at the foot of the stairs. (appears vacant)
5. Debris-strewn courtyard.

* You have total cover when inside, although baddies can still attempt a lucky shot as a cloud does not block projectiles. Conversely, when you are in the cloud you cannot see out of it.

You take one end of the barrel as Schneider tips it.

"Gardren thinks he's talking to something alright. Nobody ever seen or heard what though."

His voice turns into a hush as you move the wine barrel up the stairs.

"Gardren's gotten us far, but .... some of the guys are talking about ... a change." Schneider leaves the word 'mutiny' unspoken, but his body language makes it clear that is what he is talking about.

We have sssurprissse on our sssside perhapsssss leathality should not be our goal. He glances at the heavy chains and cages. Though sssome jusssticccce isss still possssssible. How about I go to the wessst, Torden to the eassst, Pageflap and Ander join who you like, and if the guardsss nearessst to ussss can be incapaccccitated we can cage them and make our way down?
With that Sulprax hefts his maul to his shoulder so that he is ready for action.

The Night Lord regards you with a level stare.

"Ah yes I know that one. I've heard it told a dozen different ways, but it always ends with the plucky hero beaning the old giant right between the eyes. He goes on to found a great city state, which is now Katagia. How auspicious that you should bring up that story on the eve of my own founding of a great nation."

"Ah, it seems our wine is finally ready. Kayne! Fetch me two cups from the kitchen."

The large man with Iman's great glaive snaps to attention and quickly moves to the kitchen, passing by 'Skeetz' and Schneider.

Torden starts moving east as Sulprax suggested, the incantation on his lips almost complete. As soon as he clears the fog, the dwarf releases a streak of light aimed at the guard on the stairs. Torden keeps moving, hefting Stormbreaker as he closes the distance to the guard on the castle wall.

Ander follows Sulprax to the west, stepping quietly out of the fog cloud, marking his quarry, and firing an arrow at the guard.

Torden's Guiding Bolt slams into the Night Blade on the stairs, illuminating him in light. You see he is armed with longsword and longbow, and armoured in chainmail - a departure from the usual armament of the bandits and likely pilfered from the castle stores. He manages to stay upright as the glow fades. Ander's arrow finds the Night Blade's throat and he dies in a quiet sputter of blood, like a buck with its neck between the jaws of a wolf.

RYVID AND KIT

---

The contest has been set. A long, sturdy wooden table has been brought up to The Night Lord's grand chair, upon which he now sits. 15 feet across from him, a lesser chair has been brought for the challenger. Each place has been set with a pewter mug. Schneider has finished tapping the barrel and fills two large carafes with blood red alcohol, which he places at either end of the table. The Night Blades flank their lord on either side, making a semi-circle around the table.

"Let the best man win." The Night Lord gestures for Ryvid to take the seat.

As this is happening, another Night Blade guard enters through the main doors and quietly moves through the hall. He has a broad moustache and pot belly, and smells like he doesn't bathe religiously. He approaches the nearest Night Blade, which happens to be Skeetz.

"What the hell is going on Skeetz? Where'd you drag this guy up from?"

Hmm, sssometimesss practicality outweighsssss idealssss


Once within range of the second guard to the west, Sulprax uses Command and orders the third guard to:

"Sssurrender"

With the guard to the east downing in blood and the one in the West in the process of being terrified, Pageflap looks around for anything else he can do. Seeing an obvious and bleeding target right in the range of his cantrip, he tosses a fire bolt in his direction.

Ryvid takes his seat and grabs the pewter mug in front of him, pouring it into the tankard he brought himself. "Your abode doesn't exactly scream 'cleanliness' so you'll have to forgive me for not wanting to use your mugs. I can't imagine the state of your kitchen if your gathering room looks like this."

Ryvid raises his tankard "The best man." and swigs it back.

Pageflap finishes the guard on the stairs, consuming him in flame, while the west east guard drops his bow, and jerks his hands in the air as if animated by a puppeteer.

KIT & RYVID

---

The Night Lord does not object to Ryvid using his own mug.

As Ryvid pours the wine down his throat, the magic takes effect. Tt tastes the same as any cheap red you've quaffed in rural halls across the land. However, you do not feel warmth of the alcohol in your veins.

There is a secondary effect as the cup works its magic; the two masses grow brighter momentarily as you drink. This produces a bit of quiet muttering and sideways looks of concern from the men flanking the Night Lord, and bathes the lord in a virulescent glow. The light fades once you put your cup down.

The Night Lord then takes his own cup, fills it, and drinks.

"The vintage is to your liking, Shepherd?"

"Skeetz" leans close and mutters, I've been through too much and lost too many friends to have it thrown away by someone who's taken to stroking grubs and tentacles.
He ambushed us on the road. Never saw anyone fight like him. Not sure why he's challenging Gardren to a drinking contest when he could probably take out the whole room. But I got the feeling some of the boys wouldn't be too quick to jump in.

Ander narrows his eyes at the apparently surrendering guard and shift his mark to this new target. He decides not to fire unless the man makes a move to sound the alarm.

Ryvid requests a refill, quaffing it down as soon as it's filled "I've had worse. That's two to one."

Jusssticccce findssss usss all. I give you a ssssingle choice and not much time to anssswer. Do you want to die like your brotherssss and facccce Lendysss with your life'ssss actionsss assss they sssstand, or would you like the opportunity to live another day by facccing the punishment available to ussss right now?

ANDER, PAGEFLAP, TORDEN & SULPRAX

---

The last Night Blade is eager to cooperate, even gives you keys to the cages. You promptly lock him up. From his person you can acquire the usual Night Blade gear, but also a compact war horn, presumably for sounding an alarm.

Where to next, rescue team?

KIT & RYVID

---

Kit doesn't get a good sense of how far Schneider's loyalty would stretch, but you surmise if he knows about it fermenting and hasn't told the boss, he's probably considering it as an option. He turns his attention to the drinking contest.

Ryvid takes another swig of magically-cleansed wine. The glowing masses once again swell with radiance as the cup activates its magic. They seem to be beating now, like hearts.

All of the Night Blades are again taken aback by the pulsing masses. One approaches the Night Lord

"Lord Gardren, the ... things on the back of your chair - ah, sorry - throne, what is happening?"

The Night Lord responds as he fills his second cup.

"Yes, something is indeed happening - the birth of a new era is at hand, my brothers! This is what all my work has been leading to. All of my sacrifices!" Gardren's right hand slams down on the arm rest of his chair, while the left traces over the many burn scars of his wrecked face.

He cheers with his cup "To a new age!" and drowns it in a continuous gulp.