Ambush?
Session 6
With one of Stives’ objectives complete, you decided that you would look to complete your primary objective next. Before you did, however, you indulged in the luxury of having an hours rest on a plush couch, which Atticus and Raisu took full advantage of, dozing off to sleep for an hour or so. Meanwhile, Aldrich’s curiosity was clearly peaked by the multitude of magical items you found in Wallowdale Curiosities and discovered, with the help of Smitty, that some of them were Healing Potions. When you discovered that the cost of these was a little beyond your means, you decided to make your way…except for Paul, who subtly lifted one of the vials from the shelves. Aldrich, Smitty & Rasiu, who were in the process of talking to Ancalamie, spotted her eyes flicker to the shelves where the potions are kept. Panicking for a moment, the others thought that the game might be up – only to let out heavy breaths when the Elf seemed not to notice.
Deciding to retrieve Stives’ report next, you travelled across the town, avoiding the tavern in which you had previously questioned (and put to sleep) a member of a mercenary band. Good thing too, as the banging of a wooden door against the stonework of the building reverberated across the town square, and a bedraggled and furious looking warrior strode purposefully in the direction that you had travelled. Looping around the back of the Temple of Erathis, Goddess of Civilisation, you came back to the entrance of the Stockades.
Discovering them still hard at work returning the Stockades back to it’s previous state, the party are greeted by one of the guards you had hurt in the previous fight. Clearly not pleased to see them, he called over the de facto Captain, Ander. Questioning the group about what you had found out, you were at first reluctant to divulge everything in front of the other guards. Seeing their hesitation, he began to lead them across the courtyard. Seeming to realise something, he stopped and turned around half way over.
Ander asked if the group knew anything about the missing potato stores and guard’s clothing. Shuffling their feet and stumbling for an answer, Paul took things into his own hands and turned his bag of holding in side out (again!). When the ensuing tidal force of potatoes and clothes came pouring out of the bag, the Captain’s eyes went wide, then narrow, then it looked all hope had drained from them in mere moments. Speechless and clearly wondering what he had gotten himself in for, Ander signalled for you to follow him and set Steve to the task of retuning the items where they should be.
Taking you into a part of the Stockades you have not yet visited, Ander asks for you to explain what has happened, which you did. When you explain about Stives and his tasks, along with knowing about Ander’s involvement in the investigation into the Black Moon, he is initially shocked that the Scout had told you so much. However, when you explain that the Scout had used the fact that you have been out of the general population and therefore are the only one’s he can even hope to trust, Ander’s nods knowingly.
When you ask about the report, Ander’s rummages through the desk and hands over a singed parchment, on which you manage to decipher that this is the remains of the report Stive’s had asked for. Agreeing to return it to the Scout, you are shown a secret entrance into the stockades, which Ander’s asks you to use from now on.
With darkness beginning to fall, you make your way back over to Bricusca at the prearranged time. Rasiu agrees to a down payment on a pair of silver coated cestus, which Bricusca agrees to begin making while you obtain the rest of the funds. Atticus and Bricusca work on some pieces of their own while Rasiu plays some suitable music on his flute.
Finally, the group make their way back towards the Cavalier’s Estate, when they spot what is likely the worst planned ambush of all time. Giving themselves the opportunity to setup for the attack, Paul slinks into the sewers while the others choose to continue walking on like they know nothing, before turning on their attackers just as they believe they have the element of surprise.