The Aspiring Knight

(Session 1, 8Apr20): I was drinking with Sven at the Steel Wheel Tavern (proprietor is a tough lady named Kater), see an elf, half-elf, and pixie-fairy come in. I was is flabbergasted, remembered stories of these fey creatures and the luck, and magic they bring. Hastening to befriend them, I managed to convince them to join our group. Sven and I had just decided to form a group to go out and do good in the world. The Pixie-Fairy quickly found a task for us, helping a husband and wife halfling merchant family recover goods stolen by bandits outside of town.
After registering with the city government authorities, we set out the next morning, tracking the bandits to their hideout. In the ensuing attack, I was gravely wounded, but we overcame the bandits, slaying two humans and a half-orc. Later we would learn the half-orc was named Norklen, who was an associate of the Yellow Rose Thieves’ Guild. We also captured one bandit alive, a female named Maly. I persuaded Maly to give us information in return for offering to speak in her defense at trial and make an honest attempt to purchase her indentured servitude contract (expected punishment for banditry).
 
NOTE: descriptions of the members of our party below
Jarvis the Sly (thief) is a male gnome, slightly chubby like many gnomes, and around 3 and a half feet tall (of moderate height for a gnome). He has straight brown hair and green eyes. He is clothed in a typical traveller's outfit. In addition, you can see leather armor, a dashing hat with a feather in it, a nice pair of boots, and a pair of daggers at his hip. He speaks republican with practiced ease and a genteel voice, and his eyes seem to constantly appraise his surroundings.
Maly (fighter) is a former bandit whom Jarvis hired to rescue her from deadly justice. Tristan hopes to reform her during her indentured servitude. She joined us after we offered her a second chance.
Flinair (mage) is strikingly good looking an Elf with blonde hair and blue eyes. He appears to be around 5'4, but, surprisingly lithe, even for an Elf. There seems to be a warm charm in his words. Flinair is dressed in some type of thick robes, with a staff in hand to guide him forward and a short bow slung around his travel gear.
Eschallus (priest of the Riftmaster) is physically unimposing and could easily be confused for a full-blooded elf were it not for this immaculately maintained beard. A half elf, he dresses in thick blue checkered robes and carries only a staff with which to defend himself. Eskel tends to look down on the non elven mages and will rant to anyone who is willing to listen their inferiority and constant need foe guidance in the way of the arcane.
Sven Bloodaxe is a broad-shouldered dwarf with a thick blonde beard and a most curious shield on his back. It is not that the shield itself is odd, but the decoration on the front seems to be an angry looking stick figure dwarf, scrawled in chalk, with "kaRl" written underneath. He has a large warhammer strapped to his back. His eyes are always a little too wide. He may be a little crazy.
Reapichirp (cleric of the Traveler) is a handsome and charismatic Pixie-fairy, carrying a blood-thorn staff and some polished stones for gravity-bombing. He is fanatical about defense of roads and all good travelers and will generally help and believe anyone. Speaks Pixie and South Republican fluently and has some Elvish.
 
(Session 2, 15Apr20): Returning successfully, we repatriated the halfling merchants and turned in the bandit. The magistrate of the True agreed to sell her into indentured servitude at auction. Jarvis hired a crier to tell the town about our heroic deed to spread the good news, and we shared our tale at the Steel Wheel, drinking the night away. This would turn out to be dangerous for us as we later found ourselves running afoul of the Thieves’ Guild.
Walking to the auction, we found ourselves ambushed by thugs in an alley. They clearly recognized us and attacked with surprise. Initially attacked by three, with three more sneaking up behind us, it was a close fight. We killed three, drove off three, and captured one. The one we captured I persuaded to give us information. He told us we had attracted the attention of the Yellow Rose, and it was something bigger than simple banditry. This captive said he was merely a laborer whose family was held hostage by the guild. I provided him with what little coin I had and escorted him home to gather his family and escape the town (he went east).
At the auction, we found a mousey-looking clerk bidding against Jarvis on Maly. I observed two thugs guarding this clerk and attempted to intimidate them into quitting. My efforts seem to have helped, however, Jarvis had to pay 12 silver coins to purchase Maly’s contract. She is now indentured to serve him for a year. I think Jarvis also got her to swear an oath to be true and faithful.
 
(Session 3, 22Apr20) (GAME DATE 5th of Aladir): Jarvis collected Maly while the elves went to the Mage’s Guild to seek magical knowledge. Maly relayed she was recruited at the Blue Chalice (north side of town). Maly believes the Blue Chalice is a guild hub of sorts. I sought out information about the Yellow Rose Guild from the priests of the Lantern and the True.
I learned of Esbeth Dior, captain of the Magera City Guard. She is said to be competent and capable. The guard will be the ones who investigate the crimes of the guild. I met some mercenary caravan guards, members of the Blue Shields. We ran afoul of two half-orcs, clearly set on killing us. They nearly killed me with a dastardly attack from behind, and my friends killed one and chased the other one out of town.
While rescuing me from death’s door, Athidas, priest of the Caregiver, told us the half-orc bandit we stopped was a favored friend of Renly Stickman, a gnome enforcer (mage/thief) in the Yellow Rose Guild. This appears to be the reason we have caught such bad luck with assassins lately. Bandy Wigglefinger (halfling thief in the Yellow Rose Guild) is an ally of Renly.
Captain Dior offers to deputize us to go north protect and recover ore shipments. 5 silver pieces per week pay. After a time, we can return to Magera to put a stop to the guild’s deprivations. Jarvis is suspicious that Dior knows so much yet cannot seem to put a stop to the guild’s overt activities. We get a rough description of the Rangers and militia in the area, including their general locations.
(NOTE: I chose to lie to Captain Dior about the one thug I allowed to go free. I believed the man would reform if given a chance, and I hope my efforts will not be in vain. I also felt the magistrate would have been overly harsh in his punishment, and the real victims would be his family. I pray the Lantern will shine on the path of this man and his family.)
We learn some information about the Yellow Rose. Odell Oakson is the leader of the Yellow Rose Guild. Northwest quarter of town is their territory (including the Blue Chalice). Clerk lives near the north gate (the one who cooks the books for the guild and was bidding against Maly).
 
(Session 3.5, 29Apr20) (GAME DATE 6-9th of Aladir): Spent several days resting and healing. I purchased a cart, ox, and several days worth of food and water to enable our journey to Biford and the Burrowfort.
 
(Session 4, 6May20) (GAME DATE: 10th of Aladir): Set off on our trip to the Burrowfort. On the 11th we passed the Tipsy Miner Inn. Heard rumors about bandits near the fork in the river attacking caravans. We arrived in Biford on the 14th. Jarvis buys Maly some used leather armor.
We see a Blue Shield recruiter. They pay 5cp/week, plus a 1sp bonus for any serious action, includes regular training, minimum 3-month contract. Military training offers higher pay. Full pay during recovery from injuries. They have a training camp east of Biford.
We reach Burrowfort (a frontier style wooden fort with eight-foot high walls and ten-foot high towers) on the 15th. We cannot help but notice the walls are lightly manned, indicating little trouble comes to the fort. We meet Corporal Belzar (huge man with red hair), who directs us to lodging at the barracks and instructs us to see the commander, Lieutenant Apren Spearshield. When meeting the LT, we see the Foreman Stonebrook, a dwarf. Orcish wardogs have been spotted by outriders to the west and southwest. He recommends we travel to the local ranchers to aid them and help them.
Some of the Soldiers recognized the half-orc barbarian we slew as someone Beth (half elf female) had a run-in with. She thinks she slept with him two years past. Her full name is Bethenya Zendiyan (an outrider at the Burrowfort). He entire outrider squad is female.
We spent the night of the 15th resting from our travels and prepare to circle the local ranches. They are scattered far apart, and we will be gone several days.
Madsen family (son Bobby sweet on Jenny). Sheep herd.
Tarsen family (Father is Denton Tarsen, daughter Jenny, son Renny distrusts Bobby’s interest in his sister). Says Henders family lost cattle and a family member as well as a pig. They subsequently went north to get closer to Riverwatch tower and the ford. This incident occurred about three weeks ago, right before a big rainstorm. Cattle ranchers and some pigs. Has small amounts of meat we can purchase.
Henders family went north to the Bloodflow. Cattle ranchers and some pigs. According to Denton, the buildings have been recently used by unknown persons for storage. We camp nearby to observe. I suspect someone may be using the homestead as a hideout.
 
(Session 5, 13May20) (GAME DATE: 15th of Aladir): The Henders farm is being used by unknown parties to store stuff. Seems to be seed grain, ready for planting. One sack has a stylized “R” on the sack. We decide to spend the night in the house. The place might be used by smugglers.
Early in the first watch, we are attacked by an Orkin Wardawg, who tried to drag off Flinair. We chased it off with heavy damage. Reapichirp I summoned the healing power of the Traveler to heal Flin’s wound.
(16th of Aladir) We follow the trail of the wounded animal and find an old boarded up mine (quartz/mica/pyrite). Likely the lair of the beast. We prepare torches and enter the mine. Inside we find the orkin wardawg we wounded and its mate. We slay them both and find 2 puppies, which we collect to take with us. We also find part of a dead halfling, and evidence of horse bones.
Meanwhile, back at the old Henders farmhouse, we spot laborers unloading (more) supplies to store in the house. They repaired the door broken by the orkin wardawg and closed all the window shutters. All the sacks have the stylized “R,” some have “S,” and others have “N.” Most are seed grain. I suspect smugglers, and we set off to trail them.
After a few hours we spot a farm building with a cart outside. Two oxen are penned up. Smoke rises from the chimney. Reapichirp notices the top of the house has red painted marks “N” and “R” on the thatching. Two men meet us outside. One hands the other a spear. Nyan and Byden of the Noralden Clan. They report some bandit trouble from down south near the fork, west of the ford (reported from the Ralden Clan. The third clan is the Souralden Clan. They appear to simply be squatters looking to take over the old Henders farm.
We confirm the markings are for the clans. Ralden, (South)Ralden, and (North)Ralden. They asked us to tell the Henders family to send down the deed to their old farm property. We are offered to meet old Nana Ralden who would buy our wardawg pups.
(17th of Aladir) The next morning a young couple on a wagon head towards the old Henders farm. We all decide to meet Nana Ralden and get cash for the pups. Passing through the Ralden farms, we note prosperity and wealth everywhere. The Raldens have a ferry, and more farms are visible on the west side of the river. Closer to the river, there are more people, nearly a small hamlet.
We speak with some guards who tell us about the bandits and shows us the area on the map where we can find them. A couple miles south of the where the Madsen joins the Northfork. Kennelmaster Dane purchases our orkin wardawg pups for 15 pieces of silver. The Ralden family has been on this land for many decades (before Magera City grew).
The orks in the north only showed up in numbers two to three generations back. The orks have never been near the Ralden Estate, but they have been seen to the north. They allow us to spend the night in the servant’s quarters, provide us a meal, and we get a good night’s rest. I find some warm companionship with a servant girl, although it cost me some sleep.
(18th of Aladir) The Raldens also provide us with breakfast! Splendid folk indeed. We offer our services as guards for the barge, planning to hop off where the bandits attacked previously. This way we can search for signs of the bandits. We spend one day waiting for the trip tomorrow and use the time to talk to the previous barge guards about the bandits. Guard Captain Triskan or Barden Ralden can help us.
The bandits simply ambushed and extorted a small amount of goods and coin. Their faces were covered, appeared human. They estimate it was 6-8 bandits. We plan to exit the barge a couple miles downriver of the point of attack, and double back on the bandits in search of their camp.
(19th of Aladir) We set off on the barge headed south to Magera City. It is a lazy float down the river, with few rough patches, and we struggle to stay alert.
(20th of Aladir) Another lazy day, we learn to play spades with the bargemen. Sven’s wound is fully healed through rest and the blessings of the Traveler.
 
(Session 5, 13May20) (GAME DATE: 21st of Aladir) We are let off the river and ready to search for the bandits. (NOTE: notes provided by Michelle)
The group faced out into a low valley, bordered by 70-120ft high hills, with mixed woods growing on the north and south slopes of those hills. They decided to search through the woods adjacent to the river, some members cresting the hill and some staying on the slope. Reapichirp II, having secretly swapped places with his tree-brother, skimmed the treetops scouting. Far ahead of where the group landed, he found an old, decrepit cabin. Shortly he heard someone call out for someone, clearly reacting to the noises of the less stealthy members of the group moving through the undergrowth. A human in leathers, carrying a sword, a shield, and a few javelins, emerged from the cabin and made his way north, calling out to someone. Reap let him get some ways away and then attacked him. His attack failed, and for his trouble he got a javelin embedded in his shoulder, nearly dropping him, and forcing him to fly slowly and carefully. He proceeded to keep the treetops between him and his assailant. The noise of the group brought out another human from the cabin, this one fully prepared with a shield and a battle axe. He called something over his shoulder, then charged out boldly at the group. Seconds later another like him emerged, followed by a huge half-orc wielding a massive two-handed axe the likes of which the group had not seen before. They threw themselves into the frey, with a last human emerging, wielding two daggers and circling wide of the party. A furious melee ensued, with Tristan narrowly averting a bad hit, ducking and shielding himself in a slightly shameful display to deflect the worst of the blow. But, in short order the bandits were all down, two felled by the deft daggers of Jarvis. Two of the enemy escaped, one running in fear, and with the half-orc recovering from a nasty blow and fleeing without any pants (due to Flinair tying his pants around his ankles). The group recovered from the fight, with Reapichirp tenderly removing the barbed javeline from his tiny body. The unskilled healthy members of the group managed to follow the tracks of the fleeing half-orc west, out of the woods and across the shallow valley towards a rocky rise. When within a couple hundred feet of the rise they spotted a cave and made for it, but came under sporadic crossbow fire from somewhere above the cave in the trees. They decided to run for the cave, with Sven falling just short, a last crossbow bolt skipping off the rocks near him. They stumbled up into the cave together, only to face the half orc holding two axes (and wearing a new pair of pants) and another assailant holding a leveled crossbow at them. That was where the session ended.
The group could see behind the enemies in the cave some stacked boxes and bags, with tarps over them. They believe they have found the stolen trade goods.