Session 48: A Motley Crew

The party made camp in the cavern lair of Fulskorri and the White Dragon. However, with the dragon defeated, the thick mist began to fade and the party realized that it would not be too long before the town sent people out to investigate. They made camp for the night and prepared to use the Key of the World Tree to return to the League in the morning.   During camp, Illevaere noticed that Tertius had vanished from before the campfire for a few moments before returning. Questioning him, they discovered that Tertius had seen the hags in Boora Bog and had struck a deal with them to release Levi’s debt, taking it on himself instead. Illevaere pointed out how irresponsible that was of Tertius, since he was Duke and that he had put all of the people in Eastbridge in danger since he is potentially beholden to the hags.   The party was informed of Tertius’ deal and Tertius stated that he would inform everyone in Eastbridge of his bargain with the hags so that they could override any questionable decisions that he may make.   The party opened the portal to the League, bringing the dragon’s hoard through and seeing that the League Hall was overrun with people. The kobolds were largely absent, but there were a number of soldiers from Eastbridge in the Hall. Tertius had sent a message to Captain Holdenbrook through the Shared Backpack that if his cousin’s forces were to move onto Eastbridge in his absence, that they were to retreat and not engage and hold up outside the guildhall. Holdenbrook informed the group that Harrison Garrington’s forces had arrived, so they withdrew. He also stated that there were a number of very well armored and armed soldiers that seemed to be too elite to be Garrington’s militias. Holdenbrook stated that he believed that they were sent by the Queen, though without her coat of arms, in order to assist Garrington without showing political favoritism–though Garrington’s ascendance would have made it easier for her to deal with the issue of Tertius’ father’s house arrest.   Also at the League Hall was Veryn Solandra, Illevaere’s sister. Veryn was with child and had a swollen belly and happily explained that her husband said that she had a “bun in the oven”, which was funny because he is a baker, and it is like her belly is an oven and the child, the bun, is rising, swelling her stomach. Veryn thought this was very clever at least.   Veryn was very different from Illevaere, taking after their mother and obviously more influenced by Human interaction. She was very cheerful and friendly and thought that Reggie was adorable, pinching his cheeks whenever she should. She also made a small shrine to Caena in the kitchen to protect the people from salmonella and celiacs, the two biggest threats to bakers.   The party gathered together to discuss strategy with Holdenbrook, who stated that they had one unit of infantry and one unit of Calvary, but were hopelessly outnumbered The party tried to consider other means of retaking the city, but had no grand ideas when they heard a bugle sounding from outside the League. Heading out to investigate, they found Kip Rumpledream, leader of the Halfling Wolfpack Scouts that the party had rescued there with a formation of halfling archers–all scoutmasters in shorts with hats. He stated that he had heard what had happened to Eastbridge and he rounded up the Wolfpack Scoutmasters from the jamboree and wanted to repay the party for their help. He pledged his unit of scout master halfling archers to the cause.   Shortly after, a group of farmers arrived, armed with little more than pitchforks and farming equipment, and they offered to help. They supported the party and wanted to help to liberate the town.   One by one, more groups arrived to pledge their help. Two units of kobolds came to the Guildhall, stating the Ydarion was very upset, but they mustered a number of kobolds to help the party to fight. A group of elven archers and a group of elven scouts appeared, stating that since this fight is between two opposing forces within a foreign nation, Queen Emeldawn of the Kingdom of Louth would remain neutral, as to not interfere with another sovereign’s territories. The elves, however, were sent by Princess Ireltharis Alistair to deliver a message to Tertius. The leader of the elven units opened a letter sealed with the seal of the Princess and read the message, “Hello. How are you?” The elven leader then stated that with the message delivered, they were no longer here under the orders of the Kingdom of Louth and asked what they could do to help.   A group of soldiers from the D’arlington family, led by Sirbastien D’arlington arrived and pledged their aid, followed shortly after by Jorrunde arriving with a group of Northlander warriors, offering the group’s service in return for clemency from the Duke. Tertius agreed to those terms. Finally, a group of Fey riding stags arrived, led by the two Redcap warriors, Mother's Favorite and The Other One. They offered their services in battle, stating the Wistari informed Stag King of the battle and he sent the stag calvary to help.   With the groups that arrived to lend aid, the party had amassed an army large enough to fight for Eastbridge’s liberation. Deciding that he would take charge of the former Eastbridge cavalry, Tertius had Levi help him to bring his Horse Babysitter books down to the stables and he gave one to each horseman, telling them to each read their book as it helped him to gain affinity with his horse. After one of the horsemen scoffed at the book, Tertius took his book about Apple Blossom away and gave him the book focusing on Trenderhoof in its place. Upon returning to the stables later, the horsemen had each painted their "Horse Babysitter" kissy mark on their horse's armored barding.