GH 06 - “Brigands, Raiders, & Butterskull Ranch”
General Summary
Hello and welcome back to Phonic Fables - Green Hunters of the Dragon Queen Edition, a product of The Techno God, free to consume on World Anvil, Discord, and platforms like Spotify under Wizards of the Coasts’ Fan Content Policy. This journey is shared by myself, my Partner in Life, Kat, and some friends we’ve met along the way, Rachel and Jarod, who have given consent for their characters and tales to be shared here as well. This content is not official in any capacity, and is merely a rendition of stories Wizard’s IP has already published throughout the years. The foundation of lore from the books we use, mine and my players' creativity and passion, and little moments of spontaneity create this tale. With boundless joy, my scribing and reciting of these tales is something I am most happy to share with y’all.
Episode 05 Recap
Having escaped the clutches of the Dragon, Cryovain, just hunting for goats in the foothills, the Trio finished their journey to Gnomengarde and discovered that a Mimic had laid siege to the town, and the Gnome King, Korboz, was stricken with a touch of madness, scared for the life of his love but hardly his subjects. Korboz requires the Trio to bring him proof of the Mimic's demise before he will open the door to the chambers, or the vault. Lo, when they reach the Mimic, it speaks common, and attempts to bargain it's way out of the corner it found itself in. Reymira would bow to no demands, though, all of which seemed to incur the ingestion of more Gnomes, so the Mimic would be dealt with, proof relinquished, and as the goal of the quest was to bring Townmaster Harbin back at least one artifact, they did so, returning to Umbrage Hill and Old Lady Adabra's Mill on the way back.Session 06 - “Brigands, Raiders, & Butterskull Ranch”
A couple hours to Phandalin from the Mill, the Trio came in during the early evening, enjoying the delights of Aeri’s music, and grabbing a few bites before committing to a well deserved rest after their last affair. The local Dragon Hunters were gone, rumor has it that they left to the North that morning, and Fi and Iverna were nowhere to be found. Those same rumors detail that Fi left for the Logger’s Camp without the caravan, it seems, always a bit scatterbrained that one, and Reymira gives the caravan credence to look for others, eager to get the supplies to camp. The Trio decided that they needed to make their way to Butterskull Ranch, where an Orc Raid was reported to be underway nearly a ten-day ago. Orlais used his extra time that eve to work on and get a few more woodcarving tips from Aeri, who took him to a great carving in the town that she used as a paragon of some things to do and not to do, helping him to see that no piece is perfect, and that is the point of craft. To make the imperfect seem impossible. Before splitting from the others to pitch her tent for the eve, Reymira would tell them about her connections to the Anchorite Tribe, in full detail. That night ’s tent overlooked from the same hill as before, looking down at the town, watching the people that her kind were threatening. Innocents, by and large. Her thoughts warred, about what she shared, but they were quelled by a softer dream taking over. The similar voice singing a lullaby, but telling her, “This will be the only time my voice can soothe you, as the storm within has grown too great to quell, and each time it is suppressed it risks casting greater shadows within. Be strong Reymira, be resolute like the stone beneath your back.” Zelana gives Seranna a bath then settles in after hearing from Zoud this time, not Dazlyn or Norbus, through the Sending Stone. Her first time since leaving on the journey! The stone and the two Dwarves made it back to Neverwinter yesterday, but they didn’t make it to Zoud until today. As part of the message, he asks how she would like for it to be upgraded in addition to another line being added to the Stone’s communication network. She responds that she “Tried her best at the mines, and that she would like for an additional charge to be added if the Tinkerers can manage it.” Both would have to wait until dawn to respond, though. The next day they made their way out of town with gusto, after delivering the good to Townmaster Harbin, and, with no aide this time! Rey does pop into the local tannery for a potential apprenticeship, and Talon says he needs to stay home and rest. Reymira senses that he is worried, but a day or two should help him shake it off. That is how long it would take them to get to Butterskull Ranch, but Talon is not convinced enough to walk into an Orc Raid, willingly. Wealth Seeker, not Daredevil, but all he gives are false excuses to save face. Ultimately, they would need to find the Sheriff of the Ranch, owner and proprietor, Big Alfonse “Al” Kalazorn, and help him either secure the ranch or flee.Eastward!
The first day was brisk, the forest path turned to hillside spotted with trees before becoming the rocky hillside that they would rest at the first night. They took a few breaks, catching breaths. As the fire of their campfire was sparked by Zelana’s Sorceress Staff, Reymira and Orlais would look for prey - Flint staying behind to keep watch over Zelana and the Rat Selanna on Oralis’ telepathic command. The hunt was quick, finding a boar within the hills to the South, Reymira felt strangely empowered by the kill, even though it was not her own. Orlais shot a crossbow bolt that struck as true as Reymira’s spotting of the creature, piercing into its eye. Even had the boar not died, it surely would have been blinded. Reymira carried the beast back to camp, they stripped it down and she harvested the tusks for use later, perhaps. As the others slept, and Orlais kept watch himself that night, he also said a prayer to Akadi, thanking her for the swiftness of this journey, wishing for safe travels for the rest, and hoping that his Genie patron is as good as he seems - grateful to finally be hearing him after almost two years amidst the Hilt of the Sword. The next day, they would indeed find swift feet and plenty of energy, but the journey would be stopped partyway through by a fellow with a dueling glove. Alone in the road, he was anything but imposing, and were it not for Reymira’s insightful nature, they might have fallen prey to his silver-tongued machinations. The exchange revealed that he was in fact one of a handful of Brigands that were residing in the South of the Conyberry ruins, but left because other Orcs began raiding the Ranch to the East of there. Names were not exchanged by the many, but three of the six where learned, or at least names they go by: “Ricardo”, “Bransen”, and “Blythe”, but the lot of them decided to leave after scouting the area, and when the duelist found out that is where the Trio were headed a new deal was offered instead of death and suffering. Since the farm was already raided, no one would notice if the famous “Butterskull Mold” went missing, so the Trio would need to grab that as well, or else they would suffer consequences later. Orlais flickered on his Magical Detection gaze, and through that sight, each brigand could be seen wielding at least one magical item. Orlais would jump at the new deal, always the Warlock, eager to keep Zelana safe, and also continue moving towards the Ranch, hoping that they were not too late to help, tired of the death. He says that he will need their scouting information, and as a cartographer himself, he deciphers the well-taken notes of the brigands’ resident ranger from three days prior. As the two of them, Blythe and Orlais discuss, Reymira overhears what sounds like the description of a Drake. Ricardo, the duelist, and Bransen, their leader, also spoke of robed and armored humans at the farm, helping the Orcs. Zelana’s memory of drakes isn’t as rich as Reymira’s, but as the monk of the Trio begins to tell this odd collection of individuals about Drakes, generally speaking - that they are made from parts of Dragons, through alchemical rituals that she admits are beyond her. Rey also informs that each scale color means they have a different elemental protection, much like a Dragon; that she has only heard of the Chromatic Dragons being made into Drakes; and that some of the more powerful Drakes are rumored to even have something akin to a Dragon’s Breath. Zelana knows almost anything to do with Dragons of this plane, and the word has come up every once in a while in her studies, that is why it seemed so… familiar. Standing there, corralled in the middle of the road, a cold friendliness about them, they all make an accord, establish a meeting point in a week’s time, and then split, with the Brigands going West, and the Trio heading East once again. Orlais explains to the others when they are out of earshot that he has no intention to steal the butter mold, and the others nod, knowing that it was true the whole time, but still in awe that Orlais did it all the same.A Ruinous Rest
As they finished the last leg of the journey, they would see nightfall amongst the countryside. The dim light of the moon would usher them the remainder of the road to Conyberry, where they would keep their darkvision eyes atop the ruined buildings and split down the single road town at the four-way intersection, each taking a small section. No threats, as suspected, they meet up in the Northern part to hear a crackling fire around a discrete corner, small as the fire was, Reymira didn’t notice it before, something catching her gaze from a shift in the wind to the forest further North. The fire, and corner, nestled a surprised Iverna, clad in her green cloak and pearl earrings, she had a Shortsword at the ready until seeing Orlais emerge behind Reymira’s lean-hulking shape. Zelana let loose some greetings and plopped down as if the camp was her own, and with a raised eyebrow, Iverna put her weapon away. The others set up their tents, Reymira spent extra time meditating in a way that only a Monk can, Zelana would take care of Sereena, giving her scratches and playing with some string she kept with her at all times. Each settled up to rest as the two Elves of the group kept watch, Iverna also only needed a shorter rest to be ready for the next day, as a result. She also wanted to stay up with Orlais. The fire crackled under the same moonlight that led them to Iverna. The only imperfection on her face, Orlais saw, probably from Aeri’s lesson earlier, was a single scar, larger, fearsome! It told a story of a battle she won… or lost, but it was shrouded most times by a light cloth scarf. He would warm up to the subject, talking about the bandits from earlier, and how each of them had a magic item, though, in the heat of the situation, he could only hone in on one to know about, she says they are the “Southberry Brigands”; he would also tell her about Reymira’s connections with the Anchorite Tribe, and ask what she was doing in Conyberry. She was here not to go to the Ranch, but to go to the Temple of Savras, to the South of Conyberry, where the rest of her Emerald Enclave unit were slain, “I have more experience, training, and talent now, I need naught but a touch of luck to slay them all, Tymora and Silvanus willing.” she admitted. Orlais admits that there is a touch of insanity to her words, reinforcing his passion for her recklessness by asking if that was how she got the scar, by being reckless. His words cut deeper than he means to, but he cannot take them back now. The light reverberates off the walls of the alcove they hide within, tents pressed to the edges so the small fire crackles with humbling accord. It is dying, the fire, and they both know it, but the silence being broken by the tiny branches snapping from the exothermic reaction was not dissimilar to the heat felt between them in that moment. Iverna projecting silent rage as much as hidden attraction for such forwardness, she is flustered, but stops a moment, instead, before saying into the fire. “This cloak… is a symbol of my office, Orlais. My station to the powers of balance that keep nature in tune with us and us in tune with it. You are a hunter, so you understand that only a certain amount can be culled for the strong to rise and all to live, and the Emerald Enclave is no different. We are the arrow that pierces the throat of the poacher, the knife that cuts the poisoned clipping from the elder tree… the friendly traveler that gives you a meal when you’re too weak to hunt yourself. I have yet to rise above the Earth Circle and it is because of a folly of my leadership that led me and all but one of my company to their doom at that Temple. We could not cleanse Savras’ site, I could not serve Silvanus, so, I will do one thing right with my final breaths and kill some damned Orcs.” Orlais talks to her, unable to really equate his own experience of his past, trying to talk about friends he lost to the Orcs recently as well, but it wasn’t the same as people you served with, she admits. He knew what he was supposed to say to connect to her, the moment was clear, like time had stopped, he could see the words forming in his mind, but withdrew them from his tongue before they could atomize into being. He kept his past a secret still, but his words were still well-received, since he shared some scars of his own. A couple minutes passed once more and he felt his courage swell again, to finally share the truth but was quelled again when a telepathic resonance distracted his thoughts of his time in Calimshan, bittersweet in the moment. Instead of being invisible, a familiar Violet Faerie Dragon, Vhena, scurries over from the edge of the forest that Conyberry sits at. Stunned, hands at, but barely gripping her weapon, Iverna watches as the Dragon communes to Orlais, though she only hears Orlais’ side of the conversation, she begins to hear another voice inside her own head as the two of them talk. Orlais and Vhena talk about the deeds done, deeds about to be undertaken, and power that might be needed soon to accomplish it. Vhena reminds Orlais to talk to the trees, to commune with the animals, and to know that Valanymyr is watching over the Woods for as long as She can, that’s why they are here. As Vhena and Orlais finish their discussion, Iverna says out loud, proudly, standing taller as she does, “I will do as you ask, I will avenge them in another way, and we will return to the Shine when the fields are not at risk of being burnt for sport. Gruumsh or Talos, it makes no difference, chaos must be quelled.” and a similar Green Tattoo Illuminates the underside of her Left Ear. She now has some Druidic power too? She waits for Vhena to leave, then goes to bed with a smile. Orlais finishes the watch, and looks at the tents after Iverna leaves as well, not temptation, but… something more friendly telling him to go to her tent. It was definitely temptation that infused his heart when he look to the far side of the alcove at Zelana’s tent, though. Still, he would keep watch, cutting away at a single stick, thinking on imperfections more, until the Sun began to rise where the Moon once stood. He went to wake the others with the intent to reach the Ranch within the next couple hours. They woke up and packed up with haste, aided by the coralling of their Moon Elf friend, as well.Scouts & Bouts
The small rolling hills along the Triboar trail grow larger, and as they do, the Ranch emerges into a sprawling view of the valley it inhabits. As they approach the wooden barricade of a fence they hide behind the ready-to-be harvested corn of the fields. Animals were running loose, or missing, and with sharp eyes, Orlais witnesses a cow cresting the top of the largest hill to their South, grazing and then dashing a bit, grazing more, and otherwise roaming deeper East into the countryside. It was a pretty cow, but they are here to save Big Al! Orlais whispers to watch his back as he sets down by the road and looks through Flint's Hawk eyes. Reymira watches him intently, amazed by the sight he can inhabit through Flint, and Zelana keeps watch of the road behind them as Iverna keeps eyes forward as Flint races up to the skies! Through Flint’s vision of the world, the entirety of the farm becomes as clear as the Sunny day they roam in. The smithy and barn are indeed destroyed, the smoldering piles were seen from afar, but sharp eyes of a hawk zoom in and see a few bodies amongst the wreckage. As Flint-Orlais flies overhead the farm, towards the farmhouse, there is an orchard of apple trees. They look into the orchard as best as they can, but shadows from the leaves of the trees occlude their sight from clear details, only silhouettes. They circle the orchard a couple times to get a better view, and see five distinct humanoid shapes, and a couple quadruped shapes, before heading towards the farmhouse. While they were circling, they caught the attention of an Orc outside of the house, who shot them down with a shortbow, eager for a snack for his wolf companion. The arrow pierces Flint, and Orlais snaps back to his own consciousness and mind, feeling it as if a great bee sting. For a moment he almost screams, but Reymira cups his mouth, having been staring. “Flint is dead, again.” Orlais says, though muffled and defeated, sobbing gently. Zelana turns around and tells him, “Wizard familiars can come back plenty of times, if it is anything like that, you just have to find the right kind of brazier and try it again.” Swatting tears and Reymira’s large hands away, Orlais nods, and grabs one of his whittling sticks, drawing a faux map in the sand of the paths in the corn fields, his Outlander talents giving him a knack for maps. He informs the others about the group in the orchard, and suggests they check out the farmhouse first, heading Northeast towards what appears to be the outhouse. They make it partway through the unintentional maze of corn, nearing what makes a bit of an intersection in the path, and see the Orc and his Wolf companion approaching. Reymira readies a dart, and Iverna prepares her shortbow to shoot from through the grass, but Orlais, as he reaches for his own crossbow, feels the new item he got from Gnomengarde, the Silent Horn! He pulls it up to his lips, directing the magical energy to echo beyond and into the Orcs mind. The Wolf pulls forward, towards the group, tugging at the scent it no doubt smells, but the Orc pulls harder and towards the house, away from the Trio and Iverna - certain they were called to help defend the house. The rest of the trip through the corn was a breeze, and the outhouse provided ample cover to sneak up to the front of the house near a constructed well and what appears to be cellar doors; while the Orc and Wolf were inside. Banging and crashing sounds, though muffled, could be heard by Iverna, and she indicated it would be safe to approach, as long as they stay small and stay away from the windows. The orcs were searching for something inside. They clear the span and seize the outside corner of the house, away from windows and prying eyes that might linger within. Just as they ready themselves to enter, Reymira hears footsteps just beyond the door, and they collectively hide in time around that same corner, to have the same Orc and Wolf patrol step out towards the well, some 30 ft away. The Orc gets water from the bucket and commands the Wolf to drink, in Orcish, and Orlais tries to distract them further, far too close to risk entering the house yet. Vhena’s words come back to him, and he lets forth a burst of Druidic power, convincing the winds to lift a tuft of leaves on the outskirts of the ranch. The beast makes off for it, thinking it a squirrel, likely, and as the Orc is pulled away this time, Iverna incites the others to attack the Orc, and Orlais gets a little overzealous as he speaks the verbal components of a spell he cast a little too loud. The banging and crashing inside begins to halt. With the others letting loose attacks, the magical power Zelana was about to unleash was stored, Reymira’s dart, and Iverna’s shortbow making quick work alongside the critically accurate Ray of Frost that brimmed from Orlais’ being. The Orc and Wolf fell, but the others inside were just upon them now - five more Orcs and a Blood Hawk emerged, ready to slay the Trio.Farmhouse Fitz
Zelana rallies the group to move together into a more advantageous position as the Orc and his Wolf friend fall slain, they split their focus to attend to the barrage of brawn and feather. Three Orcs had come from the front, it seems that two others had gone out the back door and as they poured out of their respective spaces, Zelana felt the gaze of those coming from around the corner and knew what to do. She casts out an Ice Knife, a magical piercing blade evoking from her hand shatters as it nears the Orcs and Hawk that turn the corner. The shards of ice dug into their skin begin to melt before they reach her the next moment, so fast, so fleet, their greataxes come down, and she repels the blow with a magical Shield this time! The Blood Hawk begins to quell her ability to defend herself further, as she is beset. Reymira takes in the moment, takes in the stillness and makes that moment last enough time for her to see the path forward. Iverna, though surrounded by Orcs now, would be fine, she was deflecting many blows with scimitars in either hand, using the banister and balcony to hinder the swings of the large weapons the Orcs make use of. In the wild of the moment, she would nearly be struck but her Draconic essence within, monastic teachings she touches on... she would Step like the Wind and pulverize and Orc that had closed the gap to Orlais, lighting sparking and spilling a few drops of heated blood from the second Orc to fall today. Just then, Zelana would see a robed individual upstairs, and dread that more might be coming, for now, she needed to focus, and grasped the face of the Orc that had nearly cleaved her in two, Fire erupted from her hands, and charred his face until he fell dead as well. The hawk that accompanied the cooked Orcs, began to fly off, and Zelana tried her damndest to make contact as if playing stickball on the streets of Neverwinter again. She was never much good at that, and it showed once more, as she bonked Orlais in the back of the head instead. Luckily Reymira had helped him out! Rey then moved back over to the others near the front of the house, and vaulted over one Orc that she struck, and landed a double kick against another, stomping him into the dirt. Oralis was in awe, but used the moment to move away from the other warriors in their midst. Turning their attention to the remaining Orcs, another wave was indeed waiting upstairs! This time, Drakes, Cultists, and another Hawk trainer emerged from the farmhouse. Remembering what Reymira had told them the day before, they paid attention to the colors adorning the Drakes, Blue and Black, Lightning and Acid, it was time to switch up the elemental essence in her fist. Frost now pierces through the scales of the Drakes as they surround and assailed Reymira with tooth and claw. The Cultist that came out the back door with the Drakes calls out words of unholy radiance and a burst of blackfire erupts around Zelana, “The Scion is here! Queen of Dragons befoul her!” He then commands the Black Drake to pursue her, and Reymira tries to quell it’s advance but is still beset by the other Drake. Orlais struggles to land any spells, standing aways from the fray, he steps up to help Iverna instead, still slashing in brief windows of time where she can, deflecting smaller battleaxes, and handaxes. As he approaches, the other Hawk, that was distracting Iverna, stops him cold, and he then feels the weight and shadow of an Orc upon him. Orlais takes the blow, and it allows Iverna the opening she needed to cut the Orc tamer once more. Reymira finished up with the Blue Drake and saw opportunities bounding: would she go after the Cultist, who is starting to flee to the Orchard - uttering an incantation while holding something in their other hand, help Zelana, overwhelmed by the Black Drake, or finish off the Orc hassling Iverna. She would do two of the three at least. Clearing the space the Cultist had run, a crack against his skull could be heard with a definitive snap of her quarterstaff. She finishes him off with a Flurry of Frost Blow, ice gathering where her feet had made contact. She makes her way over to the last two Orcs and all but finishes off the last one, landing a final blow with her staff once more, against one, and attempting to headbutt the other before ultimately landing a powerful kick. Zelana nearly finishes off the Drake with another burst of flame, but this time from her staff, and Iverna comes in to aid her, with a final blow of her own, scimitar severing through the small creature's head. Orlais readied his hand for a thunderous clap against the Orc’s face, and as it made contact, the Hawk was blasted by the thunderous boom, but only the Orc would fall. In the same moment the echo would stop, Orlais would ask how Zelana was, and they all realized that at some point in that bout, they had used a healing potion. All the inspiration that they had, was spent with their waning vitality. Reymira says that she will keep watch, as they discuss who would go in. As the party splits, Orlais, Iverna, and Zelana entering the kitchen through the front door, Rey would make sure that the area stay secure outside - Orlais says he wants to check the bodies after they clear the house, but that will have to wait until the next episode.
Report Date
12 Jul 2024
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