1 - 6 Pelorus, 4520: A Roadside Encounter & Kreig Chest

Arkomir writes...   The days leaving Schwarz Junction were long and hot, the road eastward shimmering under the sun. We followed the Beltway, camping just off the road when we could find suitable shelter. This stretch of the region falls under the watch of the Esterreach Sentinels, though we didn’t see much of them as we traveled. On the third day, while en route to Steinwark, we spotted a riderless horse standing off the road to our right — alert, but alone. Cautious, we scanned the area, expecting an ambush. Moving closer, we noted its military livery — clearly from Steinwark. I cast Speak with Animals, and the horse, Whitehoof, told us its rider had dismounted during a fight and ordered it to flee to safety. We asked it to lead us back, and it did.   Following Whitehoof, we found ourselves in a gully. There we discovered a grim sight: a pyre of fallen soldiers and horses — the remains of a patrol, likely Whitehoof’s. We searched for the least-damaged body and Dharra cast Speak with Dead to learn what happened. The soldier told us:  

They were a detachment from Steinwark, heading west.

They found a body on the road, which transformed into a Dragonborn once approached.

The ambush came from both the road and the surrounding woods — swift and brutal.

Two Dragonborn, both black-scaled: one powerful in magic, the other physically devastating.

They said nothing, offered no demands — just slaughtered the patrol and vanished.

Other detachments had been lost in similar fashion, and no one knew why.

The soldier asked us to bring word to Kreig Chest, along with Whitehoof and their insignia.

He gave us the name of his commander and asked us to warn them.

We gathered what we could, performed a quick rite to help the dead pass on, and marked the location on our map. Then we turned our course toward Kreig Chest, Whitehoof now tethered and leading the way.   After two more days of travel — camping again along the roadside — we reached a break in the hills. In the center of a broad basin lay Kreig Chest: not a single town, but four walled villages arranged in a square around a massive central market, The Basket.As we approached, we were met by a strong Esterreach Sentinel presence. At the gate, we introduced ourselves and explained why we had come, presenting Whitehoof and relaying what we’d seen. The guards seemed wary but attentive. Upon hearing the name Jurond Maurene, they brought us through the town, past a building still smouldering from a recent attack, and into the fort. Eventually, Commander Maurene met with us.   We told him all — the ambush, the Dragonborn, the strange tactics, and what the soldier's spirit had shared. He questioned us carefully, clearly trying to judge our intentions. We gave him a brief explanation of our travels. He admitted they’ve lost several patrols in similar fashion, and the pattern suggests someone is actively concealing evidence and tracking movements. They have no concrete leads.   He advised us to seek out Sergeant Garven Shturm in Steinwark. Shturm could assist us, and might have work — on either side of the wall. When we asked about The Cleansing Wave, Bruno, and the Vanguard, he shared that the Wave was foundational in establishing Steinwark. He told us to watch for Jotanswatch as we approach that region, and mentioned Vanguard Square and The Officers’ Mess Tavern as notable places within the city. Before parting, Maurene gave us two vellum slips — one a letter of introduction to Sgt. Shturm, the other a voucher for food and lodging at a local tavern: The Broken Wagonwheel, just across the Basket in the southern village of Sudr. Before we left, we asked about the smoke we had seen. Apparently, kobolds had attacked a granary in Ostler. Most were killed, but the damage was done.   Crossing the Basket, we found it to be less a casual marketplace and more a bustling wholesale hub for the surrounding region. We picked up some apples, carrots, and travel rations before heading to the tavern. There, we presented our voucher and secured rooms for the night. Dharra performed that evening — a lively, captivating set that quickly won over the crowd. As she played, we noticed two Sentinels sitting nearby, watching us closely but not confrontationally. We suspect they were sent by Maurene to confirm our identity. We let them observe as they pleased and carried on. Later, we found a quiet table to plan our next steps. Our mission to Kreig Chest is complete — the warning delivered, and a path forward revealed. We rest tonight with purpose and direction.   Tomorrow, we continue east. Steinwark awaits.