Chapter 2A - A Jaunt Into The Country

[Chris1234]

"Guards in guard towers. Drawbridge normally up. Damage to bridge is new," answers Isaril flatly in elven. "This 'wilderness frontier', wild for ...those not of the land." From the way he says 'wilderness frontier' in common, it's likely that he repeating a phrase he heard in Waterdeep.

[Squirrellord]

Unbar listens intently but with a blank look on his face until the words wilderness frontier come out of the elf at which point he nods. Responding in common, Unbar apologizes I got the wilderness frontier bit you said but the rest of it I don't understand. Sounded beautiful though.

[counterkid]

I'm willing to lead on but someone needs to start telling me in common what we are has happened here. Looking down at the elf with a look a confusion on his face.

I say we start with the guard tower. Val starts moving forwards it.

[Nocturno]

"He said the towers are usually guarded, and that bridge to the keep was not damage before."

Keep alert folks.

Signs of damage to the wall and/or towers?

[Chris1234]

The bell continues to ring as the group approach the sturdy-looking drawbridge. It's 20' long by 10' wide.
Isaril says, "Oak."
Iron chains connect the drawbridge to the nearby watchtowers.
The 15' high wooden palisade that surrounds the village appears undamaged. Its logs rise to sharpened points.
There doesn't seem to be any damage to the visible watchtowers.

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Key 10' squares: #1 Drawbridge, #2A Watchtowers, #11 Broken bridge

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The group are on the track and about 30' away from the drawbridge.

[counterkid]

Val looks around to see if he notices anything. Perception check. If he notices nothing he says the following:
[1d20+2] = 19+2 = 21
I'm not noticing danger, let's continue to the drawbridge.
He the same time he pulls out his halberd.

[Chris1234]

It occurs to Val that the bell ringing is less controlled and steady than might be expected for a call to arms or call to prayer.
It's more like an enthusiastic child being let loose; perfect to cover any on a stealth mission!

Val also notices, and points out, several humanoid tracks in the grass and dirt to the west of the drawbridge.

As there seems to be no immediate danger, the tall fellow equips his halberd and advances, with Isaril and any who so choose, across the drawbridge.

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• Key 10' squares: #1 Drawbridge, #2 Watchtowers, #3 Village Square, #4A Wooden Cottage, #4D Wooden Cottage, #4E Wooden Cottage, #4H Wooden Cottage, #5 Wooden Temple (with slender steeple containing a bronze bell), #7 Two-storey Wooden Barn , #8 Two-storey Stone Building, #9 Single-storey Stone Building, #10 Wooden Windmill (on 10' high grassy hill), #11 Broken bridge

Val hears low, canine-like growling from somewhere to the east.

What next?

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Survival skill check from anyone who wants to try and read the tracks.
This is narrative time, so any or all of the party can attempt this.

[counterkid]

survival check:[1d20] = 18

Let's secure the watchtower and then stop that bell from ringing. Do you agree Isaril? Isaril why did you say "Oak" 30' before the drawbridge?

"I suspect we will find trouble here. Get yourself ready.

[Nocturno]

"I'd guess he is commenting on the wood used to make the bridge. Watching the windows Vic will follow Val."

[Chris1234]

Val examines the tracks and skillfully reads them:

• Most of the tracks, made by lots of humanoids that were hurrying, head north.
  Tracks, made later, are of many smaller humanoids coming from the north. These include a couple of sets of unusually large wolf tracks.

Pointing at the tracks heading north, Isaril nods and says in Common, "Villagers."
In the same tongue he continues, "Golbin," and hold up five fingers, twice. Adding, "Big wolf," the elf holds up two fingers and expands in elven, "Worgs; still here with goblins".

The elf looks at Val and then at Vic to check his understanding as he stamps on the drawbridge, "Oak!" Continuing in Common, "Bong! Drinks us," before repeating in elven, "The bell ringing can cover the sounds of your metal armours."

[Nocturno]

So Villagers tracks headed out of town? Goblins and Worgs headed in?
Are we gathered at 2A? Or outside still?
==========//===================
When Vic hears about goblins and worgs in the town he will be extra on guard.

"Val get ready. Unbar look alive."

Val will cast a firebolt to max range directly east (Assuming North is up and East is into the town.) into the ground.

[Chris1234]

So Villagers tracks headed out of town?...

Correct

...Goblins and Worgs headed in?...

Correct

...Are we gathered at 2A? Or outside still?...

Unless anyone chooses to be further back, the group are gathered between the pair of watchtowers (#2A).

...When Vic hears about goblins and worgs in the town he will be extra on guard...

Good plan

...Val will cast a firebolt to max range ...

It's still light enough to see without disadvantage. The hidden areas are simply masked by intervening buildings. Seemingly no one has detected the party, so still time for a group tactics discussion (unless firebolt is cast immediately in which case it's time for initative rolls.)

...(Assuming North is up and East is into the town.) ...

Correct

[Nocturno]

Vic looks at his new group of travellers and decides against the Firebolt.

"Let's head around the wall, maybe find some of the little bastards."

[counterkid]

"Unbar and Isaril do you have any range weapons?" Looking directly at the two to see what equipment they are carrying.
While asking the question he loads his crossbow and has it hanging on his belt for quick access in case he needs to fire at long range.
"I prefer to fight with my halberd as I have a longer reach with it but I carry this crossbow just in case."

"I say we enter the guard tower on the left, therefore we can bar the door and take out a few goblins instead of taking on an army. We could kill the ones in the tower if any and potentially kill a few with some range weapons. Vic you must have some long range spells at your disposal?" "Our chances of succeeding will be much better if we can take some out at a distance."

[Nocturno]

"Yep, I have range down just fine. Your plan sounds good."