Session #88: All Along the Watchtower

 an account 

Of Patrols and Watch Towers in the Wilderness

A glorious winter's day falls upon the dual cities! Five days after departing through the Mourners' Gate, and marching east along the Pallbearers' Way, a company of trail-weary militia returned through that same gate – whole and in good spirits – but not alone! In short order rumors began to fly through the cities, and a coherent tale coalesced around this long patrol.

Brula Othmani and Paalavi al'Urens reported to the city officials that they had successfully ambushed a squad of Red Cloud's raiders, and then destroyed a watch-tower, located in the wilderness, upriver by about a mile from the bridge laying across the eastern river flowing to Al Agadrein. Among the Othmani and al'Urens warriors, and the several barbarians who had joined this adventure, were several prisoners who had been taken after the skirmish at the tower. Brula Othmani presented those prisoners to the council, as well as two additional spoils of note: a war banner bearing Red Cloud's ostentatious markings, and a lesser banner ostensibly representing one of Red Cloud's lieutenants – Eater of Bugs. Certainly there is more, much more, to be learned of this new K'zin warlord!

It is also said that during her debriefing, Brula (a well known and highly respected captain in the Knights Pylaea), had harsh words for the Soufets. She made special note that her force, with the help of various barbarians, had easily overcome a paltry patrol and a minimal garrison. However, that garrison had been in control of a well-built, and well-fortified watch-tower, of new construction. And her intelligence communiques (which she claims to be credible) had indicated a much larger force – perhaps as many as several full companies – is likely still at large in the wilderness of that area, playing havoc with river travel and trade. If the Soufets could not see how Red Cloud was gathering more bandits and raiders to his bloodthirsty cause, and encroaching upon the lands claimed by the cities – if they could not understand that the scourge of Red Cloud was actually upon their doorstep, and not just “threatening war” but actively engaged in the same – then they were indeed blind, ignorant dotards, drunk on years of complacency, corruption, and greed! Clerks who had been in the debriefing whisper in awe how Brula showed obvious disdain toward the Soufets, that she was full of ire and contempt as she made her report, and before storming out (without their leave) she literally spat on the ground at the feet of the Soufets!

But the talk in the Kantor ale-house – where many of the Othmani and al'Urens men-at-arms spend their hard-earned dinars on wine, women, and song – the tales of their latest excursion gravitate toward boisterous stories of Lars, a barbarian known as “Gar-Rider”, and a slick-talking, feisty fisherman named as Najm “the Worm”. It is told how Lars – howling like a pack of diseased yekkis – leaped into the confused fray of their ambush, and wielding his great weapon, lopped off the arm of a bandit AND the head of a K'zin warrior! But even more astonishingly, Lars is said to have bested a K'zin champion while chained to a post, barefoot, wearing naught but his leather breeches – and armed only with a blunt knife! Surely if Lars were to enter the arenas for gladiatorial matches he would draw huge crowds and his successes would fill the pockets of bettors to overflowing with gold dinars aplenty! Of Najm, a mere fisherman, they speak in amused wonder. With sly goading and glib talk, it was he who convinced the K'zin to challenge Lars (and we know how that ended!). And they speak also of a bolt of pure energy, loosed from the Worm's hand, that turned another K'zin warrior (Mr. Douglas by name) and his sergeant into charred and ashy corpses. Certainly these barbarians are worthy to be called “Big Damn Heroes”! HUZZAH – HUZZAH!! The cheers are so loud in the Kantor they shiver dust from the rafters!

And so, aside from Brula al'Othmani, and Paalavi al'Urens (and their company of 20 militia) the players in this episode include:

Durham, of the Ringing Anvil

Pako, Durham's trusty renyu companion

Lars, known as the Gar-Rider

Sesel, voice of the Survivors, Iqtador al'Saahil al'Shamaliy

Raoden (a librarian?)

Heijo of the Ink-Stained Hands

Najm, called “the Worm”

The Lucre:

Very little of loose change, trinkets, and baubles was gleaned from this expedition, aside from knowledge; however the following was recovered (or paid), to whit -

A total bounty for the heads of each bandit under Red Cloud's banner (total 1800 gold dinars)

A mercenary fee of 250 gold dinar, paid to each barbarian (total 1,750 gold dinar)

9 sets of serviceable chain armor (total 360 gold dinar)

7 sets of serviceable leather armor (total 140 gold dinar)

3 sets of serviceable leather armor sized for K'zin warriors (total 75 gold dinar)

7 sturdy short swords (total 49 gold dinar)

8 sturdy war hammers (total 40 gold dinar)

1 sturdy great sword (total 15 gold dinar)

Loose pocket change from 24 bandits (total 50 gold dinar, 75 silver dirhams, 116 copper fals)

2 decks of well-used playing cards (total 2 gold dinar)

3 sets of “gaming bones” (total 1 gold dinar, 5 silver dirhams)

3 large sealed/fused ceramic “pots” (roughly the size of a grapefruit – basic ballista ammo)

16 small sealed/fused “pots” (can be thrown or tossed using a sling)

1 well-made horn of bronze (if sold – total of 10 gold dinar)

The Learning:

In general (for loot, value of items, etc.) – 4350 xp

From successful and nearly flawless ambush of patrol – 1000 xp

From discovery of the watch tower and survey of nearby area – 2000 xp

From the the glorious challenge of Lars and Young Ben – 1000 xp

From the cunning use of several spells and special items – 1000 xp

From defeating the tower garrison – 3000 xp

From capturing prisoners alive – 800 xp

The Cut:

Both Houses Othmani and al'Urens have already taken their cut of the spoils and so is not included in the above “lucre list” (a few sets of armor, some of the weapons and ammo, all of the prisoners, and one of the horns); what is left is divvied out among the characters (assuming all items except the ballista and sling “pots” are sold – and in this instance, the DM is awarding Pako a full share!):

XP = 1879 each character (excluding Pako)

Mercenary fee to each character = 250 gold dinar

Total cash from loot to each character = 361 gold dinar, 18 silver dirhams, 22 copper fals

Characters should decide what to do with the horn, ballista and sling “pots”