We all made 2nd level by the end of the Night of the Living Dead module, and despite killing such a large number of the populace (well.... re-killing, since they were Zombies), we are welcomed into the town as Saviours. Sadly, the magistrate who offered the 200 Gold for the Insect problem was amongst the now dead, so there was no longer a reward available. However, after some negotiations with the leaders of this town, the Tower of the Soothsayer was realized as being ownerless in the wake of his death. We were offered a deal which we accepted as Town Guardians, for the price of the Tower and Land upon which it set, which included a portion of the waterway that ran from the city.
The first thing asked of us was to investigate the apparent blockade of traffic to the south. All trade from the South quit appearing several months ago, and the caravans which headed that way were never heard from again. Re-opening the trade route would help the town immensely. So, we were off to investigate.
Encounter 1: 4 Orc Raiders
We are ambushed about 2 days from town, and after a short battle, attempt to track these creatures to their origins. Losing their trail a bit early, we are forced to return to the road and hope for more raiders... 2 days pass, and on an eve when we have a fire going, and the sun has set, we are again ambushed.
Encounter 2: 4 Orc Raiders
Come morning we again attempt to retrace their trail back, and in doing so, again lose the trail, but not before hearing a ruckus in the valley ahead. In the Valley is a platform set between 4 trees, with 2 Orcs atop it acting as lookouts. We attempt to sneak up, but the Paladin and Priest make that nearly impossible, and by the time we break through the lower treelines, the enemy is already prepared.
Encounter 3: 1 Orc Berserker + 7 Orc Drudges
We didn't realize we were dealing with Minions at first, and focused poorly in the fight, causing some of us to take wounds in a fight that should have resulted in no serious wounds at all. Destroying this outpost, we find a couple of more traceable trails leading deeper into the hills. Choosing one randomly, we shortly, we come across a familiar scene...
Encounter 4: 1 Orc Berserker + 7 Orc Drudges
Similar situation, but coming from a flank side, we attempt (miserably) to sneak up on the outpost. This time we focus entirely on the Berserker while my Wizard character attempts to take out some of the Drudges early on. Short work is made of the enemy, and we decide to take out more Outposts, now that we have a decent idea of where the actual base is, and follow a side road instead of the one we're sure leads to the center.
Encounter 5: 1 Orc Berserker + 7 Orc Drudges
Again, we encounter the same scenario, with much the same results. And again, we actually opt to look for another Outpost due to our Ranger telling us that, based on their positioning, there's only 1 more outpost before we come full circle.
Encounter 6: 1 Orc Berserker + 7 Orc Drudges
Finishing off the lasts of the Outposts, we quickly make our way to the center in hopes of getting surprise on them before they realize that their outposts are all gone. Coming over a rocky-hill, we see below us an army.... It's not nearly as large as we thought it would be, as it seems half the army stays on outlook while the rest rest up. At the time we approach, the largest of them is talking in what we assume is a rousing speech. Everyone is distracted, and it seems a perfect oppurtunity to attack, despite being heavily outnumbered.
Encounter 7: 1 Blood Rager + 30 Orc Warriors
Ouch.... our GM was annoyed at our battle-lust, and upgraded what we thought were Orc Drudges into Orc Warriors. By the end of the fight, we had lost our Paladin, our Warlock, and both Rangers. Our Cleric saved their lives, but it was as much the DM being lenient as player skill. My character was constantly fleeing while Magic Missiling the enemy. But it was a fun fight.
Having beaten the enemy, and gotten everyone back on their feets with most of their Healing Surges used up, we became aware of the approach of creatures.
Encounter 8: 1 Orc Chieftain + 1 Orc Eye of Grummsh
Seeing the army at our feet, the 2 monsters fled as their first action. We gave chase until we cornered them against some boulders, and pressed an attack. They'd been injured in the flight by my missiles and our Ranger's bow attacks, but they were still formiddable. I think there may have been a total of 2 Healing Surges left in the entire group after this battle, and we were worried to even see a single Orc Drudge by this point.
After the battle, we fled as well, back to the road, and into hiding somewhere to rest. We weren't attacked despite our trepidations, and by morning, were starting to feel all bad-ass again. We headed back home to report our success and evaluate our booty.
I don't remember what treasures we got... I -think- this is where the Paladin picked up his Battleforged Platemail and Flaming Battle Axe (from the BloodRager), but I wrote down that we received 1600 gold in total.
Tags: 4e 4th Dnd Dungeons Dragons Module
