Session 151: Brigands are a Menace! (Hommlet campaign)

The newly-formed group of Emberia, Lucius, Francis, Tylendel, Contristo, and Maeve were joined by even newer comers Eris, Obi Maximus, and Deebgorogbeed. Together, they would accompany a train of merchant wagons and protect them along the journey from Narwell to Hommlet.

On Day 10 of Patchwall, the party readied themselves with supplies and provisions (some that were purchased by the merchants) and settled in to a merchant hostel common room for a good night's sleep before departing the next morning. The group mounted their riding horses and split into pairs then spread themselves between the four wagons to guard as they rode. Day 11 passed without incident, as did Day 12. Eris attempted to make small talk with Maeve, but Maeve was somewhat closed off and offered just a glimpse of her tragic past. At the end of Day 12, the party camped in a field at the edge of the small village of Redpatch, which had no inn. On Day 13, they passed Dunmarch as the rain drizzled down and entered the Gnarly Forest, which caused the pace of travel to slow significantly.

The group trudged through the forest and camped for the night. Mid-day on Day 14 of Patchwall, Emberia and Lucius, who were leading the wagon train, saw two figures in the road ahead. One called out for the train to stop and surrender. There was some chatter among the group to see if perhaps one of their more charismatic members could charm them into leaving us alone, but the party took to long. The leader, a brute named Heavy Snej called out: "Not surrendering? Alright men, attack!" The group then saw several brigands emerge from the surrounding forest with bows drawn.

Heavy Snej appeared to be summoning a spell, but Eris cast phantasmal force first. Blue flames burst up around Snej and three brigands, disrupting his incantation and knocking out the henchmen. Lucius was downed by arrows and Emberia rushed in to bandage him. Others took to the forest to take out brigands. Deeb felled Snej. With their leader down, the brigands turned to flee. All but one were slayed. In the aftermath, there were a few magical items including a dagger and a shield. Contristo claimed the dagger and the shield and some chain mail was given to Emberia. Lucius was able to heal himself and Maeve. Maeve happened to notice a set of footprints running north, indicating the pathway the ruffians had taken to attack.