([Completed] Corvin/Mordred Adventure 2): Hole in the Thornwall

[Edeldhur]

Mordred

Corvin keeps his voice low, so as not to disturb Astrid. "I am... OK. This is the second family I have lost to the war. Sometimes I wonder if I am being punished for something I have done..." he shakes his head "... I am sorry for such a self indulgent thought. Many have lost so much more than me. It is up to us to ensure this happens to no-one else, to finish what's left of the war, permanently."

"Loss is loss" - Mordred puts a hand on his companion's broad shoulder - "No point in putting a measure to it - only those who suffer it know how big it feels to them" - then smiled confidently - "We will do as much as we can, while we can. And even if me or you, or the both of us fall, at least we try to make a difference, as minimal it might be. Maybe others will be inspired by it and continue what we have started. Others like Astrid, and who knows... Maybe even Geraint. "

[archolewa]

May 18 AR 1

The next morning dawns bright and clear. It is unusual to have this many sunny days in a row during the rainy season, and the group hastens to take full advantage of the unusually pleasant weather while it lasts.

Sebastian loads up his donkey, whom he affectionally calls "Ash," with their traveling gear, including a tent that Sebastian regularly uses when the weather is not conducive to sleeping under the stars. "It'll be tight with four, but we should make fit if necessary. So long as Mordred doesn't splay himself out like a star anyway."

Astrid makes a few last adjustments to the straps on her mail, and then does up her hair into her battle braid. She smiles at Corvin. "The gloves are wonderful. Thank you."

Once everyone is ready, Sebastian leads the group out onto the Thornroad. "We should be cautious. It is not common, but also not unusual for goblin or orc raiders to worm their way past the Thornwall. Soldiers patrol the road of course, but they can't be everywhere at once."

Astrid makes sure her shield is strapped securely to her forearm, checks her sword. She wedges a javelin between her shield and arm, and carries a second in her free hand, resting on her shoulder. The rest she straps to Ash. She falls in behind Sebastian and Ash (though a little off to the right to more easily dodge any of Ash's...disposed burdens).

She elbows Corvin. "You know, I've never gone this way. Been to Thorncity once or twice with Dad on market day, but always went straight back to the village. I know we're going into danger, but I still can't help but be a little excited."

Sebastian smiles broadly. "Yes, the thrill of the unknown. There is ugliness and evil out there of course, but perhaps some hidden gems of beauty and goodness too. The Kinslayer was powerful, but not *all* powerful, and the Earth is vast. Who knows what we'll find?"

[shaidar]

Corvin

Corvin closes his eyes and takes in the smells, sights and sounds around him. They seem keener to him than he remembers.

May 18 AR 1
...
Astrid elbows Corvin. "You know, I've never gone this way. Been to Thorncity once or twice with Dad on market day, but always went straight back to the village. I know we're going into danger, but I still can't help but be a little excited."

Sebastian smiles broadly. "Yes, the thrill of the unknown. There is ugliness and evil out there of course, but perhaps some hidden gems of beauty and goodness too. The Kinslayer was powerful, but not *all* powerful, and the Earth is vast. Who knows what we'll find?"

Corvin smiles back " I've always felt at home outdoors, the excitement of travelling to new places. That's why our unit was such a good fit for me. I'll take point, keep an eye out for danger."

He'll keep 50 yards between himself and the group, but will drop back if needed to maintain visibility.

[Edeldhur]

Mordred

Mordred chuckled at Sebastian's comment, but kept silent for most of the trip, keeping an eye out for any possible assailants.

Shaidar, 50 yards ahead of the group, if you get jumped it will take us a while to get there at 30' per round. Maybe we can double move for 60' a round, it will still take us almost 3 rounds to get to you. Or is my math off?

[archolewa]

The group travel south along the Thornroad, the Thornwall on their left through a thick line of trees, and wild forest on their right. They pass a patrol of soldiers in the late morning, but other than a nod, they ignore the procession. Sebastian banters with Mordred a bit, while Astrid simply enjoys the warmth of the sun on her face and the fragrance of the Thornwall flowers.

Around midday, the group pauses where a small path intersects the Thornroad coming from the West (i.e. deeper into the Refuge). After the group finish their midday meal, Sebastian gestures for the others to follow him. He leads them into a stand of trees on the left, and up to the Thornwall. Wisdom check: Corvin: 1d20+13+1(tracking) = 28 > 20, Mordred: 1d20+11 = 12 < 20. To Corvin's eyes, trained as he is in tracking through the wilderness, the dying hole in the wall is clear as day. The flowers are sparser, and a bit more wilted. The titular thorns seem bent, and sparse, and the foliage behind the curtain of branches and thorns seems sparse. To Mordred, the wall looks just as it always does. Flowery and spiky.

It all becomes obvious though, when Sebastian pulls away some branches, many of them snapping like dry twigs. A small tunnel through the wall can be seen. "See? Here's the hole. And it's traveled."

Indeed, a deer trail winding through the wall is obvious to everyone. Corvin studies it a for a moment, and while he can find traces of tracks that look child or halfling sized, he doesn't think anyone has been through here since the last rain (which was admittedly, only a few days ago). He does spy, along the edge what looks like some cloven hoof prints. Though there's something not quite *right* about them. Their positions relative to each other don't look like he would expect for a goat or sheep or other four-legged critter. Of course, trying to read tracks after rain has washed some of them away is always fraught with uncertainty.

"What's our next step?" asks Sebastian. He gestures back west down the path. "The village is a few hours that way, if we want to go check in with the farmers. Or we follow this path. Or, something else I guess."

[shaidar]

Corvin

Corvin points out the tracks to the others, particularly the odd cloven ones. Which direction do they travel in?

[archolewa]

The tracks that Corvin can see travel from west to east, i.e. from inside the Refuge, through the Thornwall, and then Outside into the dim forest that Corvin can just barely see through the hole in the wall.

[shaidar]

Corvin

Corvin stands from examining the tracks "We could see if the villagers have seen anything or know of anyone who is missing. It looks like the latest tracks head out of the Refuge into the forest. These tracks are a few days old, so it's not like we are going to catch them up if we follow them immediately."

He glances at the sky, trying to gauge if it's likely to rain soon "The only downside to not following them immediately is that if we get more rain then they will become even more difficult to follow."

[archolewa]

The weather is currently still sunny, and Corvin doubts there will be any rain today. Whether some clouds may blow in overnight, and the group wakes up to a gray day of rain... well 'tis the season.

[shaidar]

Corvin

"I think it'll probably be dry today, but overnight and tomorrow who knows. Going to the village and back, well that's taking us into early evening. Do we want to cross into the forest beyond the wall when it would soon be dark?"

[Edeldhur]

Mordred

"If we are not risking losing the tracks immediately, then I think we should try to gather more information from the locals"

Sebastian had told Mordred people were disappearing. Where these disappearances from the closest village or something along those lines? Do the tracks head that way?

[shaidar]

Corvin

Corvin nods "More information is always good, and knowing who we are looking for makes sense. Hopefully when we get back here we'll have a few hours of light left for travelling."

[archolewa]

The group turns West, and Sebastian leads them down the path. The western forest closes around them, and it isn't long before the Thornwall is out of sight. The next few hours are a pleasant affair, green-dappled sunlight warming their faces, the rustling of leaves and birdsong dancing through the air, the scent of flowers and new Spring growth in each breath.

Sebastian walks with complete ease, and it is only now that Corvin and Mordred realize just how tense he had been in the city. But here, he is in his element. Here, he is home. Astrid too is grinning and taking deep breaths, running her gloved hands across rough bark, occasionally pausing to watch bees flit about the flowers. She takes it all in with the fresh eyes of one who thought they'd never see such everyday sights again, and seeks now to never take them for granted.

As the Sun westers, the trees give way to fields, and not long after, a small cluster of buildings comes into view. The four enter a small village, virtually identical to the countless other nameless villages filling the Refuge: a cluster of homes , a small Church, and a small town hall/shelter for the occasional traveler all surrounding a village green, currently being crisscrossed by laughing children. Villagers, an even mix of human and halfling, are hanging laundry out to dry, or patching clothing, sharpening tools, doing bits of woodcarving, and chatting.

A middle-aged halfling woman smiles with relief when she sees Sebastian. She sets down her knitting and hastens over. "Sebastian! Oh, it's good to see you. You'd been gone so long, we were getting worried. And I see you brought the friend you mentioned. And his friends!"

Sebastian returns the woman's hug. "Hello Diana. Sorry about the delay. A family had been captured by vagabonds, and I had to help save them. Alas, only one survived."

Sebastian gestures to the group. "This is Mordred, the friend I spoke of. A Magic-User! A true, honest to goodness Magic-User. And I've seen him in action, Diana. He's earned that starburst, let me tell you. This is Corvin, a close friend of Mordred's. He was very close to the family we sought to save. He is no less skilled, let me tell you. And finally, this is Astrid. Alas, the only survivor of the kidnapped family. They are all here to help protect the village from whatever creatures are snatching away our people."

Diana nods to each of them, giving Mordred and Corvin a little curtsy. "Thank you for coming to help our poor little village, it means the world to us."

She takes Astrid's hands and gives them a squeeze. "I'm sorry to hear about your family, dear. I lost my sons to the war, I know how bone deep such loss is. Any friend of Sebastian's will always be welcome here."

Astrid smiles, and returns the squeezes. "Thank you ma'am."

Diana releases Astrid's hands and gestures. "Come, come. To the hall. We'll get you some food and water, give you a chance to rest."

[shaidar]

Corvin

As Corvin heads into the village he looks around trying to assess where he might try and sneak into the village if he had to.

Diana nods to each of them, giving Mordred and Corvin a little curtsy. "Thank you for coming to help our poor little village, it means the world to us."

She takes Astrid's hands and gives them a squeeze. "I'm sorry to hear about your family, dear. I lost my sons to the war, I know how bone deep such loss is. Any friend of Sebastian's will always be welcome here."

Astrid smiles, and returns the squeezes. "Thank you ma'am."

Diana releases Astrid's hands and gestures. "Come, come. To the hall. We'll get you some food and water, give you a chance to rest."

Corvin smiles and nods at the halfling lady. "Food and water would be welcome, but I'd like to know more and get investigating quickly."

As they move towards the hall he will continue his assessment of the best sneaky routes through the village.

[Edeldhur]

Mordred

"Well met Lady Diana. We shall do our utmost" - he bowed formally - "Mordred, at your service. Food, water and rest will be most welcome, thank you" - he added with a smile and followed her lead.

On the way he paid particular attention to the village defenses, noting whether they have some defensible positions, guards and guard posts. He also observed whether anyone appeared to be on sentinel duty, assessing the overall security of the village.

[archolewa]

Diana blushes. "My goodness, such manners! No need for that kind of formality my lord. I am no lady, just an old woman whose survived more than her fair share of famines and orc raids."

Diana leads the quartet into the town hall. As they walk, Mordred and Corvin assess the village.

It's a fairly standard village for this close to the Thornwall. A rude palisade surrounds the cluster of homes. It is competently put together for a farming village short on manpower, but not really meant to serve as a true barrier. Rather, it's meant to make the village look less attractive to raiding bands, and to slow them down long enough for the villagers to muster a defense. The poles are not wedged very firmly together. With a fair bit of effort, a skinny halfling or goblin could probably wiggle between them. The poles are fairly rough. Corvin is confident he could scale it with minimal difficulty. They also aren't especially tall.

A copule dozen or so village youths of both genders are playing lacrosse in a field just inside the palisade gate, using lacrosse sticks heavy enough to double as clubs if necessary. Clearly, they are the closest thing to a sentinel the village possesses.

The houses themselves are setup so that their doors open onto the village green. The backs of the houses (which face the palisade) are solid wood, save perhaps for a few arrow slits here or there. While this ensures that raiders have to run around into the center of the village, where they would be surrounded by homes filled with heavily armed villagers, it does mean that folks inside the homes have almost no visibility onto the fields between the walls and the houses.

All in all, the village has clearly been built with the idea of protecting against small to midsize humanoid raids, maybe between five and twenty raiders, but would be almost trivial for one or two kidnappers to slip in and out of unseen.

Once they enter the town hall, Diana leads them to a rough wooden table and bench, while a younger halfling girl, probably her daughter or granddaughter starts baking some bread in a bread oven built into the town's wall. It isn't long before the hall is filled with the smell of baking bread.

"It's a terrible thing," says Diana sadly. "All these disappearances. Halfling and human both, though halfling more often. Not surprising really, we're easier to carry. Poor Francine's son disappeared just before our last big bout of rain."

"That was what finally prompted me to head to Thorncity in search of help. That, and the hole," interjects Sebastian.

[shaidar]

Corvin

Corvin tries not to let the delicious smell of bread distract him.

"How many have gone missing in total? Is there any pattern you can think of to the disappearances? Always at night, same time of the month, after the rain, always from inside the village, strange footprints, damage to the pallisade?" he shrugs "Anything in common or just anything odd at all"

[archolewa]

"Well, no damage to the Pallisade. Whoever's doing it is sneaking in and out." Diana thinks for a moment, counting off on her fingers. "Hard to say exactly. Probably twenty folks over the past year or so? Maybe thirty, but I think that was a goblin raid, and this don't feel like a goblin raid. Most of them are halflings or human children between 8 and 12. Didn't think much of it at first. Oh, we were sad of course. But we're close to the Thornwall, we've had more orc and goblin raids in my lifetime than I've had winters."

"Really only thought something was up when we lost four folks over the past month, even though the Thorncity Siege ended. According to the soldiers, most of the goblin and orc tribes who live just Outside have been fighting amongst themselves, and trying to push further into the Great Green. Guess it's easier to raid each other than it is us, now that the Kinslayer isn't driving them on. But the disappearances kept happening. Almost always at night and twilight, which reminds me... Oye, Melon, ring the bell would ya! It's starting to get dark, I want everyone inside somewhere!"

"Anyway, we've lost a few grown humans, including that messenger who used to run periodically between us and the nearby garrison. But otherwise, it's all been halflings, mostly children and young adults, and human children. Folks who were alone. A kid who wandered off while Mama was distracted. A nervous farmer who went out to the fields to check something. A mother running out to pull down laundry before it gets rained on over night. Haven't had one super recently, not since Sebastian left. But then, we've been much more vigilant and have been dragging folks inside."

Diana sighs. "Which is rough. Gets mighty stuffy in our homes now that the weather's getting warmer. We like to sleep outside this time of year when it's dry."

[shaidar]

Corvin

The lupine looks thoughtful

"I was thinking of doing a circuit of the outside of the palisade to look for tracks or anything odd. But if it's getting dark I might miss something, and if they only strike in the dark or twilight then if we go out now then we might tip them off that we are here." he looks around at the others "What do you think about us taking it in turns to watch for anything overnight while the others sleep?"

[Edeldhur]

Mordred

Mordred listened carefully to the recount. He felt something was off, and a shiver unsettled him when he thought about the reasons behind the kidnappings - it all seemed too seamless and easy to be carried out by humanoids. And the tracks they found...

"Has anyone been take from inside their homes?" - he asked Diana.

Corvin

The lupine looks thoughtful

"I was thinking of doing a circuit of the outside of the palisade to look for tracks or anything odd. But if it's getting dark I might miss something, and if they only strike in the dark or twilight then if we go out now then we might tip them off that we are here." he looks around at the others "What do you think about us taking it in turns to watch for anything overnight while the others sleep?"

"If we try to disguise ourselves somewhat, maybe we can pass as villagers, and spring a trap on these assailants while we walk outside" - he offered - "Otherwise, agreed on keeping watch. Perhaps we can find strategic places around the village to afford us a good view in general. If you are planning on keeping a watch outside, I think it is a bad idea to be alone"

I have searched, but did not find it - have we been given the name of the village?