Harpher Knap will inform the baron to the north of who the party is. Remote travelers and farms will be targetted initially. This will probably be while the party is healing.
The party will be seen to go to the Darrow Brothers Crofters… time and resources will be used to assess their background. Where once they operated without knowledge of Sherwold’s forces, they will be know to be affilited with the Salamanders Guild. It may take weeks, and if the party is still around and seen to be affiliated with them, they will be targeted. The specific targeting will try to be masked under the general bandit activity in the area.
The Darrow Brothers Crofters will be targeted by bandit attacks (mr. Knap knows they have ties to the Salamanders Guild – a couple dead hands, and wounded is a steep price. The brothers may try and enlist the aid of the PC’s if they think it can help. Guarding the farm through several attacks of 3-5 men each – one attempt will be to burn the farm house.
‘Bandit’ – RES=50, melee 2, fend 2, evade 2; war club (7), dagger
Those against of East River Run, having been spurned by one of the workers at the Darrow Brothers Crofters, will target their family in the hopes of getting intelligence from them. There is the opportunity of involving the Swone family…
Over the next few weeks, the baron will put together a force and make forays into Belmain – in the name of subduing the ‘bandit scourge’ and enforcing the peace along trade routes using the authority that the Nanford Accord of 8710 gives him. This will eventually lead to the escalation and battle at Deniros Glade…
Now war between East River Run and Belmain fiefs may be imminent… and if that starts, it will destabilize Dunstrand. This will trigger raiding parties of Pine Tribes, and Umbak to the south will be encouraged to raid Dunstrand while she struggles internally. This will cause more troops to be deployed south, robbing the Gillman pass of defenders and allowing the Gwinnish forces occupying the Tarmysian peninsula to attack western Dunstrand…. not good.
I fear for Belmain. The Twin River powers for years have been looking for a way into our fiefdom. from the looting of our ruins, to the institution of their Lightbringer faith, their reasons pile up into mounting aggression. Our old families – few of them have the means to stave off. Without the aid of outsiders, even now we would not be able to hold against them. The injustice of the Nanford Accord sends a stench across these lands and the Duke’s desire to change it is embroiled in politics. The money flows from the north and the blood flows across the river in the south. This escalation must stop or it wil result in occupation. I must ask you to aid us – not just me, but all of the folk here, in stopping this so-called banditry. My people know that land better than any others – it is still theirs by that much. They say that a force of several dozen is gathering at Deniros Glade. Can you ride there, with my soldiers and what volunteers we can raise, and meet them in battle? We have little to offer in way of reward, but our gratitude is a long memory and always a safe hearth.
Oighnan family is told they must not intervene directly (by order of Baron Sherwald), but bands of armed men roaming their land is hurting trade and scaring he smallfolk. Yjr family and crafters have put together a small force of 30 men and have decided that they are going to confront the ‘bandits’. A couple that die are wearing the colors of East River Run –
Large scale battle… 15 is maximum, and only the first phase. 3 phases total.
| Accomplishment Total | Condition | Outcome |
| <40 | Lose | 1 CP; alive but lose mounts |
| 70 | Draw | 1 CP and 1 AP; alive and scavenge to replace hide armors, spears, and daggers + 2-200 silvers |
| 120 | Win | 1 CP and 3 AP; [as draw] + 2 mounts to divide, 202-400 silvers |
In this case, the forces outnumber the bandits slightly, but the bandits have more experience. The PC’s will tip the edge.
There does not have to be much involvement from the PC’s.
The agenst of East River Run will claim that the two men were murdered by the party while they were pursuing the bandits. There is the threat of reprisal and the PC’s will be targeted with a smear campaign and family forced to pay fines and threats of higher taxes. Everyone knows that they were aiding the bandits, but there will be no way to prove it that will not be crushed in either political or economic means.
The meeting will be overseen by the Church of Light, priest Balban of Ikribu. If the PC’s can bribe them with 1000 silver crowns, they will force the baron to back off. Balban will take a dislike to the group, as he will sense their Wyld faith influence and the power of Dunstrand.
The Baron Grus Sherwald, agent of Count Griswold accuses them of disturbing the peace. The penalty is either 3 months in jail and a hefty fine, or to be declared outlaw. The church of Ikribu and Balban will intervene for roughly half the party’s silver – to ‘support’ the legal system and as a fine. If the party pays the fine, saving face for all, the Oighnan family will be very pleased.
The group will be challenged in a travesty of justice. A minor knight from the north will be brought in and claim to represent East River Run, who feels wronged. They will challenge Sir Robert Carlin of East River Run; knight errant;
Size 13/RES=65; MUS 8, STA 5, VIT 5; Ring Mail, helm, broadsword, lance; melee 4+1, fend 4, evade 3, ride 5
Beedels Power: Unity of Dunstrand (Higher Purpose) – One per session Beedel may ‘baptise’ a target in a stream or river of Dunstrand and give them three measures of Good Luck in a situation involving the stability of Dunstrand.
Initial = “You feel an overwhelming draw to the water, the river under the bridge – there is power there, power that can be given to Belim.”
You feel the power of the land rush through you as you drop Belims body beneath the surface. His eyes go wide as he hears singing while under the surface! He struggles and then calms, staring at you through the rushing water and you both feel a charge. As you hold his chest with one hand, you plunge the other into the water, grasping his other hand and pull him upright, while he gasps and sputters. You stare at each other, sensing some subtle power at work which used Beedel as a conduit – though involved neither of you overtly. The Priest of balthazaar stares hard at you, and though he tries to challenge the ceremony, he can find no magic at work.
Harpher Knap will stand as party of the folowing of Sir Robert Carlin. The optional
Riebar plot line could be interjected through this…
The party will be gifted with a one of the old Lances of Tortuga (brought from the east; the family and others in the Riverdans still have dozens of these). The lances themselves are short spears, this one’s name is like its brothers – they all have a red stripe through the point – “Red Run”; base damage 9+AP, 20 ENC; requires 6 MUS, can be used to block with 170 Health, 3 AM to use
– It will also count as AP vs. small and medium sized wicker, leather or wooden type shields – going through the material Any damage to it must be repaired by a Ducateon smith.
Additionally, a candle of favor from the Wyld Faith will be given to each; 1 hour, 1 blessing. If there is a character amongst them with a faith aptitude of 2+, they will be given 2 vials of holy water.
If a magus travels with the group, they will be presented with two old volumes from the family archives, containing the spells Holding and Periaptery done in the Hovracht mode.