The Fall of the Abbey I - Significant Events - The Re-taking of Tal'Ohen hill

It has been a busy time for the heroes. After taking out the ogre Robisar the team got back to Aegis Pass only to find out it was under attack from a band of mercenary dwarves.

After repelling the attacks, Elrohir had seen enough and went into the Temple to take the Canon into custody. The usual flamboyant Canon went out without a whimper and was quickly taken into custody.

The rangers decided to head back out from intel received and found themselves at Tal'Ohen hill. However this time it was occupied and occupied by a mixture of dwarves and humanoids.

The heroes stormed the tower and made quick work of the enemy. As the team did further investigation they found none other than Sitting Duck - shackled and gagged in a bare room.

"I got that goat fucking drow El! I got him!" Duck exclaimed with a huge grin showing his broken teeth.

"You got something to wear? I can't find my pants."

After the minor scrapes, the heroes decide to make a final push. Their intel has determined that the enemy is making a brigade size camp with intentions of raiding Aegis Pass.

The heroes decide they need to get out there and distract and do as much damage to the morale and strength of the enemy horde.

Elrohir, Randthalas, Wolfie, Duck, and Miran left town. As they got near the Tal'Ohen hill they noticed some light flickering...



The Re-taking of Tal'Ohen Hill

Working their way up the slope, Miran peaks in through cracks in the walls and sees a small purple robed figure, two large barbarian types and an ogre. They seemed to be in an intense discussion and were not aware of the heroes at all.

The team dashed up the hill, seemingly catching the enemy unawares. A circling bird flying around the peak let out a cry . That didn't seem like a natural cry.

Randthalas quietly mumbled the words to a spell and El readied his first shot, and directs Miran to watch the potential exit point by the humanoids below. Miran frowned and creased her brow at Elrohir, but went down the slope to watch. "Boys all getting all the fun" the sheriff mumbles to herself.

Then the purple robed figure raised its arm and shouted something in a language not known to any of the group. The ogre turned grinning and the barbarians raised their weapon.

El fired at the ogre who then bent down to pick up something!

Rand tossed a fire projectile at its maximum range and struck the ogre who didn’t let being on fire interrupt his plans. He raised the table/massive door/former drawbridge and it too ignited.

Duck charged in but still not being completely healed didn’t strike the ogre, Duck had to back up and avoid the burning wall the ogre was lifting. He then found himself surrounded by enemies - just how he liked it.

Elrohir fired at the robed figure suspecting it was a mage – "Miran! Engage!!" Elrohir screamed to the sheriff. Miran smiled a wide grin "I knew it wouldn't take those boys long to need me". She dashed up the slope.

All of a sudden 4 large scorpions appear from behind the giant flaming ogre - scurrying rapidly towards the heroes. – the giant flaming wall and ogre provide excellent cover for their approach

The ogre takes fire from Elrohir and Miran who miraculously find their mark through the burning shield the ogre has in front of him. The giant door is starting to fall apart, due to being in an advanced state of rot.

Duck again fails to strike the ogre, the barbarians give him a terrible pounding, one breaking his club over his back. Duck jabs a knife into the side of his knee with his offhand. The barbarian falls to his other knee wincing in pain trying to pull the knife from his leg.

The scorpions appear at the feet of the team but prove ineffective, the rangers all are wearing the right footwear to deal with their kind of menace and only the wolf is injured slightly.

Randthalas casts an enchantment on the barbarian giving duck the most trouble and directs him to attack the robed figure! Fortunately the Barbarian understood the frantic pointing if not the language the druid was shouting over Elrohir’s orders!

The other barbarian pulls the knife out his leg; and seeing what the druid cast on his brother, he snarled and stomped towards the elf.

It was then that Randthalas noticed the fur hanging around the barbarian's neck. The druid prayed to Celene, snarled, pulled his spear and advanced on the barbarian.

The barbarian smiled at the little elf. He raised his mighty club and brought it down with all intentions of smashing it into the druid's pointy eared head. With a surprising show of strength, Randthalas deflected the club with his spear and jabbed it fiercely into the barbarian's abdomen.

The savage bent over clutching his stomach. He still was able to swing his club out again which Randthalas easily avoided. The barbarian then felt Wolfie's teeth penetrating his back. He screamed, stood up and reached back trying to swat the Wolf away.

The barbarian raised his head and screamed. "Fool" randthalas said with a smile on his face. The druid spun his spear around over his head in an incredible display of skill. The druid then gripped his spear fiercely and thrust it up under the barbarian's chin.

Randthalas quickly pulled his spear out before the barbarian can drop dead on top of it. The barbarian died clutching his throat, emitting a gurgling sound that would bring many to nightmare. Not the elf.

Before the druid can even begin to appreciate his victory - The ogre charges! Hid wild run smashed two of the scorpions under him. Also on his charge, he shoved Duck to the ground; this made Rand, Elrohir, and Miran to dive out of the way. The ogre's momentum sent him sprawling over the cliff falling to his death.

The wizard in the purple robes finishes her incantation as the charmed barbarian brings his club down short of her head, he strikes only the glass rod she holds before her that she was about to break anyway releasing the energy of her lightning bolt.

CRACK! A lightning bolt came roaring out of the mage's wand. The bolt struck everyone and everything in front of her, it split Randthalas’s shield and nearly knocked him off the cliff! He fell and the bolt continued past him…Elrohir caught the full force of the bolt, it knocked him to his knee and charred his left side, Miran ducked the bolt, but it still was able to clip the top of her; ripping the hair from her head and momentarily causing deafness and blindness, however she was able to grit her teeth and stand and see her target – the robed one! Duck too caught the full force of the bolt, sending his weapon flying away from him and knocking him flat on his ass, a hole tore through his right forearm.

The barbarian that completed the lightning bolt disintegrated like a spent piece of charcoal.

The wizard, her face still hidden behind her veil, began another incantation!

The group rushed forward to stop her, Miran getting there first as the rest of the team reeled from the last strike. Wisely, she struck with the back of her ax; she didn’t want to get tangled in the robes. The sheriff managed to wound the wizard and recover her balance to strike again as Wolfie and Elrohir arrived to help! The wizard proved to be an agile defender escaping the worst everyone had to offer.

Duck, disarmed and feeling deaths cold familiar presence hovering charged desperately leaping over his team mates to land on the robed figure! They both spill to the ground, Duck stunning himself when he lands awkwardly head first. The wizard tumbles to her feet and turns to flee.

Elrohir swings desperately at the fleeing mage. His sword swept across the back tearing open the robe revealing a small female rear. The Sheriff reaches into her belt and desperately heaves her mother’s dagger at the mage. The dagger strikes true, but does not slow the mage as she dives in through the hole.

Elrohir immediately takes off in pursuit while yelling”Duck let’s roll.” Sitting Duck blinks a couple times and pursues after his friend. A horn blows and orcish voices echo up from the cliff base.

The young sheriff decides she should stay put and start lining up the assembling orc horde forming below. A soft hand touches her shoulder “Miran, let me apply some first aid. Keep your eyes downrange, but do not try to fire yet.” Randthalas the druid then begin to apply first aid on the injured ranger.

Meanwhile… Elrohir leaps in the hole thinking to himself “This has got to be trap.”..He looks down at the bottom of the stairs and sees the robed figure standing and dusting itself off. Elrohir charges furiously a loud growl coming from his lips.

Just as he descends the steps, a loud caw is heard which makes Sitting Duck look to the sky. The mage’s familiar- the falcon rakes the venerable ranger in his eye. Sitting Duck lets out a scream and takes a wild swipe at the falcon smacking it lightly. He takes another swipe at the bird missing badly and the falcon takes the opportunity to scratch at the wild elf’s other eye. Sitting Duck screams in agony clutching both of his eyes.

All Duck hears next is the sound of a small object flying past him quickly…..and the desperate cries of a falcon who just headed to that big nest in the sky.

Meanwhile… Elrohir charges down the steps and takes a hurried swipe at the robed figure missing badly. In a deft move the mage swings a large scimitar around smashing the ranger across the forearms. Elrohir curses as he drops his sword. The magic user then drops the scimitar..but she didn’t drop it as the scimitar hangs there in the sky dancing itself around guarding the robed one.

Elrohir sees the mage reach into her belt and pull out a potion. The robed figure pulls down it’s veil to being drinking…Elrohir gawks for a minute “Well I'll be damned! That is Axsasha!”…the crusty ranger grabs the hand axe he has left in his belt and bum rushes the mage swinging wildly with the axe.

Just as the axe hits home in the mage’s neck, the dancing scimitar slashes across Elrohir’s side causing him to collapse. Lucky for him the mage and scimitar also collapse.

Furious..the ranger crawls over to the mage’s body and swings the axe down again into her face. The ranger smiles.

Elrohir stands, crinks his neck and spits blood at the mage. “You made a mistake this day woman. You finally got what was coming to you.” The ranger takes a deep breath and rubs his eyes, smoke still trailing off his head.

”Ow..that hurt.”

The Fall of the Abbey I - Significant Events - Rescue of Tal'laheen and The Demise of the Ranger Killer

Rescue of Tal'laheen and The Fall of the Ranger's Bane

Further discussions and with the help of a reflecting pool the Heroes of Aegis were able to determine that the "she lives" taunts that came to the druid's mind while in Overbey's temple were clearly talking about Miran's mother, Tal'laheen. They were also able to determine that she was being held at the old burial mound (the direction where they saw the ogre and his party headed)..also! more prisoners and not just the masons that were captured earlier.

Elrohir pulls Miran to the side, "you know we may discover some things you may not want to see."

The sheriff steadied her chin. She will NOT look weak in front of the Ranger Knight, "Elrohir I am aware of this and I need to do this. If my mother is alive or dead I will do what I can to make sure she gets back home so she can rest!"

Elrohir smiles gently at Miran, "I know. But I need your focus to be complete and on the mission. There will be alot of other potential prisoners, let alone this group who will be relying on you."

Miran found herself smiling, "Elrohir, I'm good. You have my focus. Thank you for being here for me."

Elrohir then slaps the sheriff on the shoudler, "Here for you! I was coming down to Aegis for the fresh air and scenery. Who knew?"

So off they go..

The party led by Miran and consisting of Randthalas, Wolfie, Sitting Duck, Brommer the dwarf, Althea the Starburst priestess, Elrohir, and Wallace with his team of archers marched out towards the burial mound.

The party was able to surprise and kill without much effort a small set of gnoll guards who were standing watch. As much as the team tried to do it quietly, Brommer the dwarf was being loud and obnoxious. Elrohir knows that dwarves tend to be that way, but something was different this time.

"What in the hell are you doing dwarf!!" Elrohir hissed loudly at Brommer!

"Oy, I see some more gnolls up here."

He was right as a group of 5 gnolls stormed out of the burial mound. Again the party laid waste to the humanoids without much effort.

All of sudden blackness fell on the sheriff, and before anyone could react Sitting Duck took off running with a savage growl and the look of fury in his eyes.

"Drow!" Elrohir yells and thinks to himself, "I'm really tired of having to yell that!" And then with no real reason the globe of darkness dissipated around Miran and she was clear.

Three more gnolls came running out of the burial mound. Tley looked around worried, turned, and ran back into the hole.

The party went in and fled down the stairs. Wallace, his archers and the dwarf stayed above ground to keep watch.

The gnolls continued down another passageway, but there was no thought to pursue them with lives in danger. There were about 8 different rooms with prisoners in them. And in the middle of the room a giant hole. The party immediately spreads out and investigates.

Miran lets out a loud gasp. "Randthalas!"

The druid runs over to the sheriff to find her crouched down next to what is left of her mother. "She lives!" the druid notes, but she is damaged badly. The elf has had both of her eyes gauged out, both knees shattered, a punctured lung and essentially every other bone broke in her body.

Without emotion the druid tells Miran, "If we move her. She will die. Let me try something." The druid begins to wave his hands around and gently lays them on the elf.

In the meantime, Elrohir and the party determine that most of the other prisoners are in decent condition (besides being completely naked). So Elrohir and Althea set about rigging up a sled to evacuate the badly wounded casualties that could not move.

Miran's mom begins to mutter something. Miran puts her ear up to her mom's mouth. "What mother? What are you trying to say?"

Rand's face went pale. He heard what she had said. Miran looked up the druid, asking him pleadingly with her eyes.

"She said......run"

Althea snarled, "it's a trap."

THUD

"ELROHIR...OGRES!!"

"ARCHERS ON LINE"

"NOTCH....LOOSE"

Rand grabs his head. The spirits were talking to him again. "There is time for one to escape. Keep him safe"

The druid knew Elrohir the Ranger Knight was their only hope. "Elrohir, I will take care of the situation in here. You need to confront the monster!"

Ranthalas then begins to cast again and lays his hands on the ranger's face. All of a sudden Elrohir's skin began to harden and take the look of treebark.

"Woah, is this going to give me a rash!"

Rand couldn't help but chuckle quickly and shake his head, "Go fool!"

Elrohir dashes up the hole.

Miran stands up and walks over to the big crevice on the ground, "What is that sound?"

Althea says, "Sheriff, the gnolls are springing another trap and from the signs of it they are about to release something I don't think we want to be a part of."

Then they heard it, the sound of rushing water.

MEANWHILE....

Elrohir quickly climbs up and emerges out of the hole; before he has a second to think about it he sees a boulder headed for him. He dives out of the way but the boulder conveniently lands right where he exited effectively blocking the only known hole for escape.

And then there he was, with a plume of bright orange hair - the monster, the ranger killer, the ranger's bane - Robisar staring him down grinning knowing he has found his quarry. Elrohir has fought ogres before, but the ranger was convinced this ogre's parents were a mix of ogre and giant.

The ogre points a big meaty hand at the ranger and mutters something in his savage language.

Elrohir darts his eyes around, "well enough of the pleasantries. He gets to his feet, draws his sword and picks up Wallace's large kite shield.

'LOOSE' Wallace screams

Another volley of arrows stings Robisar who now picks up his favorite club, a tree set with jagged black obsidian teeth and charges the ranger

Elrohir hears the heavy stomping behind him but has no time to look. Robisar's son rises up over the hill.

Luckily for the ranger, Wallace changes his archers focus to that foe and has his archers reign hell on the ogre behind Elrohir.

Robisar charged and feinted high. Elrohir ducks under the feint and thrusts his sword under the ogre's wing and plunges his sword deep in to the creature's stomach.

The ogre wails and brings the club down with all his might to crush the ranger. Elrohir escapes the worst of the blow, the shield buckles and cracks under the strike and the metal sheathing snaps loose slicing Elrohir's ear nearly off.

Elrohir falls backward blinking the blood out of his eye and he barely holds onto his sword. Prone on the ground he dives under the ogre, the shield disintegrates as the ranger rolls to his feet spins and slices the ogre across his back cutting him deeply. The ogre wails again and swings mightily with a backswing. The ogre clips Elrohir on his sore left side tearing his armor and some of his muscle from him, splattering the ground with blood.

This move while effective causes Robisar to lose his balance. The ogre desperately throws his club at Elrohir as he falls away. Elrohir ducks the club, spits out some blood and charges at the ogre.

Robisar raises his massive hands and brings them down on the ranger's back shattering his ribs. Elrohir falls flat to the ground spitting up blood.

The force of the blow actually sent the ranger skidding through the ogre's legs which may have been what saved the ranger's life that day. Ignoring the pain and fighting off the impending darkness; Elrohir ducked under another backswing from the ogre, stepped to the side, and thrust his sword up into the ogre's chest.

Elrohir dove back and began to pull his hand axes out of his belt.

Elrohir locked eyes with the ogre. The ogre dropped to his knees and yanked the ranger's sword out of his chest; tossing it to the side.

The ranger stared at the ogre. "yes, let me be the last thing you see."

"ELROHIR! DOWN!" The ranger dove to the ground out of instinct.

The sound of arrows whizzing through the air and plunking into ogre flesh was never more of a beauftiful sound to the ranger. For Wallace and his archers had just delivered the killing blow to the son of Robisar. The ogre who was about swing down and deliver the killing blow to Elrohir from behind.

Elrohir drops to the ground, clutching his chest. Wallace immediately tends to the ranger securing Elrohir's wounds so he can breathe better.

"Never have I seen such heroism Ranger Knight."

"yeah you are pretty sexy yourself Wallace."

"umm uhh " Wallace stuttered.

"So I am assuming those boots sticking out from under that boulder belong to Brommer?"

"Yes. He never saw it coming."

Meanwhile...

Below, the rest of the team slowly moves the wounded prisoners into the tunnel of the tomb to hopefully buy themselves some time.

The water was rising rapidly and lapping around the hero's ankles. A sled made out of table parts and a shield was constructed hastily for Tal'laheen.

Suddenly, Rand looks up into the hole an sees the recenly placed boulder start to move and the muttered yells of "Push! Push"

"I'm trying to Wallace. Fuck all if I can't feel my ribs or my arms right now!"

Slowly the boulder moves to the side and Wallace and Elrohir are able to help evacuate the prisoners and the heroes.

Within minutes water was rushing up the tunnel and spewing out of the entrance.

"Elrohir."

"What?"

"You look like hell."

"yeah thanks druid. Next time, I'm sending you up the hole."

Sitting Duck Pursues

Duck took a deep breath to be sure he had the scent right.

It was that vinegary smell of drow mithril melting in the sunlight. he thought for only a moment before rasping his last civil words to his friends "Don't wait for me". He ran as a starving beast to an unguarded feast.

He ran not through the mountains and hills, the low scrub around him but through the mist of memories of the last time he tasted that scent more than a century ago when he was but a child. His sister lay still, dead with a drow sword stuck deep in her naked chest. He hid while she died and he remembered watching the wounded drow limp away. He ran through the memory of that day and remembered the men of his tribe pushing the goat fucking drow back to the dark with such fury even the sun rose early to join the battle. They were never seen in force on the surface again.

Duck stopped, he felt the wind change as the sun crested a distant hilltop. He got low and stiff against the ground. HE was in a state and had not noticed he had broke a sweat, his scent would now give him away. Would the enemy notice in his hurry to escape?

He crept along looking for another sign, there a thread from the unraveling drow cloak. The elf was running on the surface, Duck had cut off his retreat with his own pursuit he only had to drive him a little longer then he would only need to face a single naked foe. He was salivating, so much did he want to taste his enemies blood, he wiped the corner of his mouth and slowly rose to walk, then a slow jog anticipating where the drow went by reading the terrain

"if i was a goat fucking drow what path would i take?" he thought...

There he was aiming a tiny crossbow in Duck's direction

The bolt struck him in the throat, it missed anything important but it hurt good. Good that he could feel it as he fell and slid to a stop. Good that there was pain, it meant there was still time whatever venom he was using it wasn't going to kill him, it was burning like the paralyzing venom of the quasi-dragons he had once been bitten by in the underdark. "Yes! I have time".

Duck picked himself up as another tiny dart from that hand crossbow struck him in the shoulder, he knocked it away with his sword and charged raising it above his head with both hands on the handle. He leapt onto his foe who was naked in the sun, only his crossbow still surviving in the cleansing light. His sword struck home, he smashed in through his skull and out that back of his shoulder, up to the guard. It was luck, the double edged kind he had made his legend on. Good and bad at the same time. Bleary eyed he fell onto his foe laughing as the ogres and gnolls came howling to take him away.

Fall of the Abbey i - Significant Events - The Confrontation with Canon Overbey

The Confrontation with Canon Overbey

It is becoming more and more evident to Elrohir that the Canon may be behind some of the actions going on at Aegis Pass. The ranger is still not completely convinced, but he is convinced that he doesn't trust the Canon.

During the goblin invasion, the townspeople were rounded up and put into a lodge led by default militia leader Aralias. Leigh beats feet to Shandalahar and Brommer is near death. Sheriff Gage addressed the town, followed by the counselman Dickinson who then deferred to the Lord High Protector - Elrohir.

After speaking to the town, the heroes (specifically Elrohir and Miran) get summoned to speak to Canon Overbey (who conveniently was absent during the raid).

The party enters the Temple and advances to speak to the Canon. Immediately upon entrance Randthalas is bombarded with voices in his head telling him that "she is still here" and to "please help us", "We are underneath the temple". Randthalas doesn't let it show that spirits are talking to him.

The Canon turns to the party, and the group immediatley notice a tiny cloaked figure behind canon. Elrohir knew immediately it was a drow. "There is nothing good to come from drow. This seals it for me." Elrohir thinks to himself.

Overbey begins to speak, but not in the soft, iffeminate voice the heroes are used to hearing, it is low, raspy, and crackling with power. He stares down each of the heroes as he speaks:

"Our temple has been defiled, my own chambers looted! I have been attacked and suffered yet more injuries at the hands of man kinds most terrible enemies. Now the Emissary of Ulek has come, and he has witnesses the pitiful weakness of our defenses"

The Canon then makes it a point to stare down Elrohir as he continues to speak:

"I am warning you sir knight, I am equally near the crown as you - this one (pointing to Miran) had ordered one of the visiting rogues to break into my chambers. You will find on his person 4 rings of distinct appearance, one my personal seal, property of this church, protected by the crown. The theft of which are punishable by death.

As for Ms Gage's roll in the theft, I cannot guess what she hoped to accomplish by violating this holy temple or where her allegiance lies - with the rogue and his crew or with the crown. I demand you relieve her of her office immediately until I can have an official investigation conducted after this is over. I will, in light of her recent tragedy, not seek her execution as punishment for this crime."

The Canon notices Miran's seething rage and smiles an evil grin. "Perfect, just how I like it." Overbey says to himself.


He then takes a deep breath and continues:

"Worse, the emissary has brought WARNING. There is a battalion of monsters marching west towards Ulek. Our allies there are in great danger, and our alliance could crumble if they attack Fort Blackfoot on the other side of the pass. I am dispatching a letter with the emissary pledging our assistance but it will not count for much if the emissary has no reason to believe we are competent!"

The Canon then stares down everyone in the party again, his voice rising and trembling with anger!

"Make this town safe again and do it now! Start by rounding up the thieves before they make off with the payroll Sir Wallace has with him. Do it before the workers arrive next week. The emissary has agreed to delay his return 2 days to witness your progress. I suggest you do not delay yourselves here with me any longer"

Without showing an ounce of emotion, Elrohir takes a step forward, pointing his finger directly at the Canon:

"Canon. Listen to me right now. Your bloviating might work with your minions, whoever or whatever they may be, but it will not work on me. I don't know what you are talking about with your office being defiled, but if the Sheriff was here it was probably trying to come to you for help and looking for you and on top of that making sure you were ok. I'm glad you were able to take the time to inventory your treasures instead of coming to see if everyone was ok."

"Obviously you weren't around."

The ranger takes a another step forward. Overbey gulps. The emissary doesn't move.

"We are out there bleeding and fighting for this town and we will continue to do so. When this town has needed you the most - you were not around and I can only imagine you won't be there the next time. The Sheriff you speak so highly of was out there fighting. Not you."

"My recommendation to you good sir would be to be careful who you are making friends with........and enemies! I also recommend you get this mess cleaned up. Doesn't make for good appearances. As I know you are well aware, perception is reality."

Elrohir then places his hand on Miran's arm and gently gives her a nudge to exit. The look on Miran's face would be enough to scare off an ogre. She growls words under her breath and turns to leave.

The party then leaves the Canon's presence leaving him to mutter things impotently about "how dare he talk to me like that! he'll see! and bringing a savage with him into my temple.." The Canon then gulps again nervously and dashes back to his chambers.

As the party exits the temple, Elrohir pulls Randthalas to the side:

"My friend. Are you allright? I couldn't help but notice your distraction in there?"

"I heard the voices of the dead. All warning me. They are angry. I

believe their remains have been disturbed. They also told me that "she"

is alive and can be saved. They went silent when we were in proximity of the Canon." The druid said.

"The she being the sheriff's mother perhaps? We will discuss this further at the lodge." Elrohir replies.

"Sounds good to me. I am beginning to worry now. Disturbed burial sites (perhaps druidic in nature) and a missing necromancer. Hmmm...." says Ranthalas.

Elrohir cocks his head and chuckles at the druid, "Wow really rand? NOW you are beginning to worry...:"

The ranger claps his druid friend on the shoulder and the friends share a small laugh, one of few to be had during these times, as they walk back to the lodge.

The young sheriff, still red-faced, is not much in a chuckling mood at this time.

Fall of the Abbey I - Significant Events - Wallace Falls & Aegis Attacked

WALLACE FALLS & AEGIS ATTACKED

So to try and find out more of what is going on, the Heroes of Aegis decide to go out on patrol and check out the druid ruins. They decide to go with a two pronged attacked. Elrohir, Randthalas, Miran, Althea, and Gibbs topside and Wallace, a couple masons, and the chef bottomside. The lesson learned here is to split up the rangers next time:

The main body, Elrohir, Miran, Randthalas, Sister Althea, and Gibbs (mason turned volunteer archer), cross quietly through cuts and draws Miran knows can conceal their approach to the high ridge objective area. They get to the base of the steep approach to the attack position. The team then stops to check their plans, gear and to momentarily observe the high ridges above them for any signs of the enemy.

Miran points out there are two abandoned mines above on the west ridge (below suspected enemy camp). They are covered but should be watched; the enemy may have opened them and be hiding in there. She points out other numerous positions the enemy, particularly their smaller goblin forces could be using for cover and concealment. The approach up the East ridge also affords much cover and concealment but it will be a tricky climb. On the way here there were no signs of the enemy. No tracks or sounds or smells. Everyone is ready. Elrohir gives the go ahead signal. Miran takes the lead on the ascent.

Meanwhile:

Sir Wallace carefully guides Crisp through the low soft ground that is the old Ulek road nearing the position he last encountered the enemy. He looks back to the small team of masons following behind him. The quiet is making them nervous. They are beginning to lose their nerve. Action will cure that. He hopes the other team is in place, ready. He can't afford to give them more time. His men will completely lose their nerve soon.

They reach the way point where they planned to turn towards the objective, where the scout was supposed to meet them with his report. No sign of him. Wallace removes his helmet, it's stifling and heavy. He takes a deep breath...SNAP!

Bursting out of a cleverly hidden conceal is the ogre Robisar who swings his tree trunk sized club down on Wallace's exposed head. With barely a breath Wallace crashes off of his horse - the horse is the next recipient of the mighty club as Robisar swings down smashing the horse's neck.

The ogre licks his lips as he swings his club down again taking perverse glee in mutilating the corpse of the dead horse and the knight underneath it.

Gnolls and orcs and goblins all spring on the masons and they never had a chance. Chef Dupree tried impotently to cast a spell at the ogre but Robisar simply reached over and picked up the chef by the head and threw him over his shoulder.

A small cloaked figure stepped out from behind a tree, "Did you kill the knight?"

Robisar smiled a big toothy grin and simply nodded his head over to the mess on the ground.

"Very well. Now let's get these prisoners back so we can find out what we can!...and yes you can have your snacks!" the cloaked one said as he noticed the ogre furrow his brow. He didn't want prisoners! he wanted food!

Meanwhile....

Miran leads the group up the slope. As they near the top they come to what is a large circular plateau, there is a 60 yard radius raised earthen bulwark, with some overgrown brush. Small stone markers circle the bulwark every few feet. There is a dead gnoll atop the south east end of the ridge. He is on his back, his head hanging upside down, staring blankly ahead. There are a number of spent arrows all around the area, goblin and orc.

In the center of the raised bulwark, the party comes across a partially collapsed burial mount, and as the party moves closer they also see some dead goblins.

Elrohir directs the group to spread out. Miran goes out in advance, Randthalas goes to investigate the mound while Althea and Gibbs hang back.

As Miran rounds the mound she gasps "Ogre". She turns around and signals Elrohir. The ranger runs up to Miran's position and pulls out his spyglass, "hmm, large ogre and a party of about a dozen baddies, 6 orc, 6 gnoll and an unidentified human sized hooded figure leading them north. They are several miles away already and moving quickly. They also seem to have the three other masons marching with them as prisoners. The Ogre is carrying what might be the Chef/Scout that was with Wallace...no sign of Wallace or Crisp."

Elrohir then pockets his spyglass and is about to signal the team to head out in pursuit...when something catches his eye, a small glimmer of light about a quarter mile ahead and in the tree line. He pulls out his spyglass again and groans. He sees what has to be the disembodied remains of Crisp and the little light he saw was the sunlight reflecting off of Wallace's mutilated armor.

Elrohir whispered to Miran to stand fast and to signal back to Randthalas. The ranger then hops down the hill and dashes to the treeline. Elrohir puts his ear up to Wallace's mouth to see if there is possibly a faint breath..........what was that? air?..a bubble of blood?

Elrohir then waves down Miran and the sheriff then leads down the rest of the party to the treeline. Gibbs throws up. Althea puts her hand to her mouth - she has no love lost for Wallace but didn't want to see him meet that fate.

Randthalas says, "Elrohir, what of the ogre and his brood? Should we not attempt to run them down? Punish them for existing?"

Elrohir replies, "Most any other time Rand, yes, but Wallace still lives and we need to do what we can to help him. I am very confident we will have no problems tracking down that beast and his minions."

Rand nods his head. The druid understands he will probably need Elrohir to help him complete his mission so he complies and begins casting a spell and then the druid lays his hands on the knight's head. He breathing is a little better but still bubbling blood.

"Miran, you need to get back to town. Get anyone you can get to help us! We will rig a stretcher and begin to head back to town, but if you can get anyone here in advance that would be most helpful, preferably another healer. Good Luck!"

Miran takes a deep breath. "Aye lord" and the young ranger runs off as fast as she could, but not before leaving her quarterstaff with Elrohir so he can use that as part of the stretcher.

The party works fervently to remove Wallace out from under the dead horse and onto the makeshift stretcher. Randthalas casts another spell on the knight. Every little bit is helping, but he is still not looking well.

"Wolfie, please circle us as we travel", Randthalas commands. Elrohir, Gibbs, Althea and Randthalas all carefully pick up the stretcher carrying the knight (armor and all) and move along very slowly.

Meanwhile...

All Miran can hear is the wind rushing past her ears. Her chest burns, her mouth is dry. She hops over little ditches and tree roots. A small smirk comes across her lips as she thinks 'Thank goodness I spent so much time in the woods here, otherwise I probably would have fallen and broken my ankle a couple times. That would have looked great for me."

The run is invigorating. She hasn't run this hard and long in quite a while.Miran stops at edge of town to catch breath before jogging in. Then the ranger noticed something..what is that - blood? Its not mine! Its fresh though - goblin!

Miran crouches down and turns. She whips out her hand axe and dagger. "Nothing around me..good. It Looks like there were maybe three of them rushing in - it looked like they headed through Dickinson's field one at least one is wounded." Miran mutters to herself.

"What to do?" she wonders to herself. The young sheriff has never been in this kind of situation before. "I need to make my mom and dad proud!"

She notices the town is mostly empty! The rangers face goes pale....She clicks her tongue and realizes it is Goddsay (the Sabbath), so everyone must be in mass and are probably safe from any threat at this time, but when is church out?

Miran advances into town. As she peeks her head around a corner she seems them, three goblins -snarling, looking around, looking angry. Unfortunately they also saw her!

Armed with shorts swords and a shield, the goblins scream something foul in their native language and charge the ranger.

Miran was startled and the goblins were on her before she can defend herself. The first goblin leaps wildly at Miran, missing terribly. He gets up quickly.

The other two goblins slash at Miran with their dirty little blades. One slices cleanly across the ranger's chest and the other goblins strikes her in her left arm.

Miran grunts, snarls and swings wildly with her hand axe. The goblin ducks at the last second as Miran's attack goes harmlessly through the air. However, the ferocity of her attack was enough to frighten the goblins (cowardly creatures they are) and they back off knowing their luck will probably run out soon with the sheriff - but they stand their ground.

Miran gets her back against the wall - the smithy's house and readies herself. She then hears the familiar voice of Brommer in the distance yelling "this way!"

The goblin who leaped the last time, snarls furiously as he leaps at Miran, again missing badly, and smashing clear through the smithy's window. The second goblin rushes in and clangs his sword against the wall as Miran slides out of the way.

Miran pushes that goblin to the ground, stares down the third goblin standing in front of her and swings her axe fiercely at the creature's head. the ranger's axe shears cleanly through the top of the goblin's dome. The goblin stands there blinking, brain matter running down it's head. The creature drops to his knees and then falls dead, gray matter oozing on the cobblestone road.

The goblin who Miran had pushed to the ground runs off wildly squealing like a beaten pig.

Miran looks back over her shoulder - no sign of the goblin crawling out of the window but he sure is making a ruckus in there. The ranger moves to the Smithy's front door and quickly swings it open.

The ranger dives in, gets into a crouch and looks for the signs of the humanoid. She sees the slimy creature dive behind an overturned kitchen table.

"Smithy! Is that you!!" Miran hears Brommer the dwarf yell from behind her. She stands up, turns her head around halfway to acknowledge the dwarf and then charges the table. Miran deftly leaps over the overturned table screaming.

The ranger's adrenaline sends her over the table and over the goblin. She turns quickly to see the creature fumbling around on the ground looking for something. Miran steps forward and swings her axe down at the goblin, she slips on some of the creatures blood and only glances him with the axe across it's shoulder.

As Miran gathered her footing, the goblin was able to grab a meat cleaver on the ground and take a good swing at the ranger's leg. The cleaver slices cleanly into Miran's ankle. The goblin then jumps up and prepares himself.

The ranger winces in pain, but takes another swing at the goblin. The blow to the ankle makes it hard to square up and kill the goblin,but Miran manages to slice him good across the face.

Miran is starting to feel very sore and light headed. She blinks her eyes rapidly and watches as the goblin takes another desperate swipe at her in which the ranger easily parries off with her dagger. Even though she is dazed, Miran grits through the pain and brings the hand axe down in a violent arc into the goblin's head. An eyeball pops out of the monster's skull and lands limply on the ground. The ranger sneers in disgust as she sees the dead eye looking at her and kicks it away.

"AAHH there's the pain again!" Miran limps over to a chair and gingerly slips her boot off. The ranger can here Brommer talking to Aralias and Leigh. The dwarf tells Leigh that the sheriff is down in the smithy's house.

Leigh runs in the door to see Sheriff Gage sitting in the chair wincing in pain. "Just patch me up quick Leigh. Elrohir and the rest are still out there and Wallace is in very bad shape. We need to get some healers out there quick or Wallace will be lost.

Leigh's eyes gape widely, "Brommer can patch this up enough to get you moving again, stay here with him and go to the Chapel, find Friar Able and the Canon, I will go with Aralias to find your friends. I'll save my magic for them."

MEANWHILE.....

Elrohir and company plod along slowly. Carrying a grown man with full armor on is no easy task. Wolfie maintains a circular perimeter. No signs of trouble.

The ranger sees in the distance red plumage bouncing up and down. He signals the team to a halt and to gently place Wallace down. Elrohir draws his bow and directs everyone else to get into a defensive stance.

Suddenly he hears faintly "The Sheriff sent us!!" Elrohir relaxes slightly and slings his bow. He then pulls out his spyglass and looks into it. "Aralias...and the cleric! Good job Miran!!"

When they arrive, the soldier opens a messenger bag and pulls finely wrought dwarven tools out and with very careful and expert hands begins dissembling the armor.

Sister Leigh without a word kneels and prays. She prays. And on. And the armor comes off.. very carefully it is removed.

The wounds close, his arm is still broken inside the splint. It’s not getting worse and no blood is getting out.

Wallace is breathing better, no more blood bubbles. He is unconscious and resting. Sister Leigh asks for a cloak or something – she says she’s freezing. And would kindly thank everyone if they would forget they ever saw her in this state.

She says that he should be taken to the Sheriffs home to rest, the Canon has made it very clear that the temple sanctum is not to be violated. She and Aralias explain what happened to the Sheriff and how she is back in town.

Elrohir sighs and looks over at his friend Randthalas. "Well elf. It looks like fun is just getting started!" Randthalas nods and gives the ranger a smirk.

Fall of the Abbey I - Significant Events - Elrohir Draws First Blood

Due to this blog getting started so late, I am only going to go over some of the more significant events that have happened up to this point (Game Day 8 - 2nd Battle of Tah'loren hill). I was originally planning on making posts for each Game Day but am way too far behind.

Elrohir Draws First Blood
While out doing some scouting Elrohir comes across two gnolls - one carrying a sack and one keeping watch. The fact that there were gnolls near Aegis Pass was a cause of great concern for the ranger.

Elrohir wasted no time as he steadied his bow and fired true - TWICE - killing the gnoll with the bag. The other gnoll screams in alarm and runs off. Elrohir knocks another arrow and fires it directly into the gnolls back. The ranger then runs up to the fallen gnoll and proceeds to slit his throat.

In a bit of a risk, Elrohir runs over to the bag the other gnoll was carrying and investigates. A bag on bones. hmmm.

At this time Elrohir heard the shuffling of humanoid feet coming...and he can smell them. Uh oh. He made a quick dash for the forest line which was a good quarter mile away. He made it there safely, or so he thought.

All of a sudden the goblin in the group turns his head and sniffs the air. The goblins, two orcs and the another gnoll are then in pursuit.

Elrohir knew they didn't see him so he quickly tore off his cloak and threw it a few feet in the opposite direction. The ranger then made a mad dash deeper into the woods making his escape.

Elrohir sat back at his ranger hide thinking, "Hmmm a couple gnolls, some orcs and goblins - in cahoots- and in Aegis! This could get interesting..."

Fall of the Abbey I

INTRODUCTION
Several months ago, the Church of St. Cuthbert received funds from the Sheriff of Aegis pass, a life time of savings to have Aegis Pass reopened and it’s Defensive Abbey Rebuilt. This pleased the Queen of Veluna and Her Allies in Ulek. The Queen planned to send the Lord Protector there to induct the Sheriff into her own Order of the Garter as a Landed Knight. Plans were drawn up for a three year schedule to culminate in the Sheriffs Knighting, the first ceremony to be held in the new Abbey and performed by none other than the Queen herself.
Shortly after a survey team of masons arrived to survey the site and make final plans for the construction a workwoman disappeared from the survey team’s campsite. The Sheriff went out with his wife to see if they could locate her. A routine patrol turned out to be the Sheriff’s end. He and his wife vanished. Shortly thereafter his remains were discovered. Rumors that a monster had moved into the hills or the east lake began circulating. Reports of other travelers bound for Aegis Pass disappearing began to trickle in to the town.
Then, the howling at night began. It seemed to come from the west. The engineers moved from the construction site to the public house in town. Then a brave knight from the church of St Cuthbert arrived. He had come to oversee the construction and prepare the inner sanctum for the new Prior. Instead he reestablished the camp at the construction site. He investigated the Sheriffs disappearance, and the masons and engineers returned to the camp. Another dead girl was found. The Necromancer and his family have gone missing.
A secretive agent of the Lord Protector had arrived as well.

MAIN CHARACTERS
Elrohir
Ranger - Level 4

His carefree childhood came to a screeching halt when he followed quarry over the border into Bissel one day and was caught by red handed with his kill by a merciless Sheriff. At the tender age of 9 he was dragged off and only escaped execution because the Governor of that awful border town deciding he would be useful in the Margraves infantry, as Bissel was preparing for War. So he became a conscript. He was thrown into brutal training but worried only about his family. They searched furiously for him, to no avail. Eventually Elrohir was sent to the NW where he battled savages and monsters in a pike phalanx. He was wounded many times (and healed incompletely) before he had finally had enough.
One night when posted on skirmishers night picket he casually skulked off. He joined a group of other deserters and made his way home. It had been several years by then and he learned sadly upon his return that both his mother and father had perished trying to find him. His family farm had been seized and sold to pay off family debts but he was not without hope. He won audience with the local lord and was given a position on his staff until he could figure out what to do. He had learned a number of useful skills on campaign for Bissel and put them to good use at home. He soon ended up working closely with the local rangers. On one adventure he met a young priestess of Celestian whom he fell for. A whirlwind romance ensued and the two married. All was right with the world, so the DM intervened. His wife Alicia was killed one night at home while taking a walk under the stars. That sparked a hunt for the killers and brought him into service of the Ranger Knight of Veluna. He eventually found the killers and took a very personal revenge. Then, he dedicated himself completely to service to his country. He brought news of the murder to his wife’s superiors and they tried to console him granting him a number of restorative magics to restore his battered body. He isn’t quite sure how he merited such quick promotion to his current office but he is enjoying some of the perks; hasn’t bought a drink in several years, or a meal. People take care of his kit for him everywhere he goes and women throw themselves at him. He almost feels like a pirate or thief some days. He has had ample time to mourn his lost wife, and though he remembers her, he knows she would want him to go on living and he may very well marry again. He greatly admires his lord and his large family. He has no love for Bissel.

Miran Gage

Ranger - Level 1

Miran is the daughter of the Sheriffs of Aegis Pass. Due to her father's gruesome death and mother's disappearance (recently rescued) she was thrust in to action to figure out what was going on. She is young, hot blooded and tempestous. Elrohir is proud of what she has been able to do and the composure she has maintained through it all. She was born and raised in Aegis Pass and is quite the hills terrain ranger. If she survives Fall of the Abbey I she will need to decide if she wants to stay her station and remain as Sheriff of Aegis Pass or hit the road and adventure.



Randthalas

Druid - Level 3

Randthalas is a druid sent to Aegis Pass on a divine mission from his order of Celene. He is a very aggressive fighter and brilliant battle field tactician. He has a spirit animal - a large timber wolf affectionately named Wolfie. Randthalas has made friends with Elrohir and Miran, something the druid is not used to. His number one mission to is get the sacred druid grounds cleansed of humanoid filth.





Supporting Characters

Francesca (Althea)
Althea as she was first introduced to the campaign was a Starburst Priestess assigned to Father Wallace as his personal assistant. Turned out she was part of a larger plot and was actually married to Nik (the leader of the Red Mane Traveling Company). The plan was to rob Father Wallace and run off with the cash. However, Nik tried to take it for himself and found himself stabbed in the back by Althea (actually Francesca). Francesca admitted everything to Elrohir and he understood and took her under his wing. Francesca is finding herself falling for the Ranger Knight but is still to overwhelmed to process these feelings yet. She feels he is also falling for her.

Aralias
A tall lanky man dressed in banded mail and wielding a large pole arm. He joined the "Red Mane Traveling Company" to protect Leah. A case of unrequited love. Due to his military training and strict demeanor, he quickly took charge and headed up the Aegis Pass Defensive movement. He is the interim leader of the militia - appointed by Elrohir.

Nik
Supposed leader of the "Red Mane Traveling Company. A short fat greasy man, thick black hair that was greased back. Nik met an unfortunate end when a robbery attempt went dreadfully wrong and he ended up being killed by his wife - Francsesca.

Brommer

A dwarf rogue who is a part of the Red Mane Traveling Company. Seems to be close with cleric in group. Typical dwarf. Nothing significant to report. Brommer met his end on GD ? when a boulder thrown by the ogre Robisar landed on top of him.

Tanis

Tanis is the Ranger Knight of Veluna. He dispatched Elrohir to Aegis Pass to get to the bottom of what was going on. Tanis's wife Chloe was enjoying the fresh air and high altitude at the Pass until things started going awry. Is was she that alerted Tanis to the troubles.

Tanis is a good man and has been through a lot in his adventuring career. He has many kids, and was enjoying the life of a diplomat. However, when Tanis found out about his son's disappearance he hit the road to investigate. Not sure where that road will lead...but that is for another time.

Sitting Duck
Sitting Duck is a Wild Elf of great reknown. He hates humans are rarely speaks to them. He is a dear friend of Tanis and Elrohir. His daredevil style has saved him many times and has many times put him in grave danger - yet he always comes out on top. Sitting Duck has been adventuring for a very long time. Much longer than most of the people in this campaign have been alive (except maybe Randthalas)

Father Wallace
Father Wallace is a Knight of St. Cuthbert sent here from the church to re-open the Abbey. He is an obnoxious, smug individual but is at his core a good and honorable man. He has been assigned this high risk assignment to help straighten him out. He is unawares but he has been pre-arranged in marriage to Lorien, the daughter of Tanis.

Leigh
Leigh was a member of the Red Mane Traveling Company. She is a cleric of the order of Rao. She conferred in Elrohir why she was there and asked to leave. Elrohir told her to go but to warn Shandalahar about the threat and to please send immediate help. The instructions got to Shandalahr but no sign of Leigh since. She is stunningly beautiful.

Gedeon
Gedeon has left the Magi Society of Bar Harbor & Verbobonc to work as a warden with the Lord Protectors forces. His family fortune disintegrated recently. There were some suspicious circumstances surrounding his father’s death and Gedeon’s step mother has disappeared with the family fortune. Gedeon suspects murder but is not consumed with thoughts of revenge. He was not very close to his father, and instead is seeking to build his own fortune the way his grandfather did.
Gedeon’s younger brother, Gaston has his own established career as a navigator for a merchant company. Gedeon stays with his brother’s wife Camille and their children in Bar Harbor when not in the field. Gedeon has no desire for a family of his own at this time, knowing that will happen when it is time.
The exact cause of death is unknown but Gedeon's body was found burning in the doorway at the Necromancer's tower. This young mage went too soon and Elrohir and company have lost a valuable ally.