State of the Chosen's Problems (Pre-Landsradd)

Summary - Current State of the Nation or Chosen’s Problems

Locations of Relevant Personnel

Local important personalities (so far):

• Milan Silben, WarLord of Helian and military govenor of Larder and the Imperial lands around it. He is the commander of the local Patrol detachment and defacto Mayor of Larder.
• Patrol Detachment: One Troop of Patrol (about 80 people). At any one time about 1/3 of the detachment are out in the wilderness on Patrol in two –four person scouting groups.
• Anvil Basher, pladin of Moradin and friend of Milan. Anvil arrived recently with a few other folks who disappeared immediately. Anvil has taken charge of the attacks on the Bestial Hordes north and east of Larder.

RAIDS Note: About three week a series of raids along the river against barges began. Such raiding occurs every season, but is sporadic and uncoordinated. These attacks are obviously coordinated and much more effective than is typical:

• Milan received a report from one of his scouts tracking the raiders stating that they (a pair of Patrol scouts) found the remains of a raider encampment. Not unusual in itself, the scouts have found several empty camps. However, there was nothing done to cover up this camp, the others have been very well camouflaged (suggesting excellent skill and discipline among the raiders). The scouts reported the camp was likely occupied by between 30 – 60 humanoids— no specific evidence of orcs or bugbears etc, could have been all human or elf with a scattering of obvious dwarf tracks. The most disturbing thing about the camp was that it contained the crucified (upside-down) remains of a Patrol scout. He was recognizable by the scouts and he is one of a pair sent out on a general long range patrol about two weeks ago. The dead scout was obviously tortured and his Patrol ring was spiked to his forehead. There is no evidence regarding his partner’s fate.
• Raids culminate with attack on FarPort. Raven messenger from FarPort for Milan: Message reads: FarPort attacked by large raiding force estimate 90+ raiders majority human, scattering of elves (no more than ten) and dwarves (no more than one half dozen). Surprise attack launched against walls, the defenses were manned a series of attacks erupted from within the walls obviously conducted by inflitrators who had come to the port via ship in the last several days. FarPort casualties moderate (24 dead residents seven of them children), and 6 Patrol killed. We have recovered 18 bodies of Raiders. Note 11 Raiders bodies have brains scrambled (makes Speak with Dead impossible). Need Cleric capable of Speak with Dead soonest (must be 5th level +). Number of fires started using Fireballs, Lightening, and alchemical fire. Raiders had at least 10 people casting spells. Several werehouses burned to the ground. Meat wherehouse destroyed, as well Rudrick’s wherehouse. Number of houses destroyed. Also, one ship in port fired and burned to waterline. Raiders were clearly trying to do max damage. We observed few attempts to carry off loot. Raiders were disciplined and dishonorable POISON arrows were used on attack at the wall. Also, regret to report Casmira Priestess of Palmata killed with POISONED arrow as she helped in defense of wall. (This is likely to really piss off any followers of Palmata who find out about it). Signed Corporal Selent (suggests his Sarge is dead)
• Note there is unrest in Larder after the raid of FarPort becomes known. Local VIPs are demanding Milan “do something.”
• The price of food and goods in Larder triples in a couple of hours.

Bestial Horde (for want of a better name):

• Scouting groups were ordered by Milan and organized through his Sergeant Nithame incorporating House Chosen personnel. There have been at least five Horde scouting groups identified. Reports of some Patrol/Chosen scouts follow.
  • Summary: Encampment found fifteen miles North East of Red Gate. Description of Terrain and Forces: In a broad vale, we see hide tents erected around cook fires. Skull totems and crude banners rise above the camp. Milling about are what appear to be perhaps a hundred or more bestial humanoids, well armed and eager for a fight. At the center of it, we see four brutish ogres, their flesh covered in ritual scarification, carrying a skull-adorned palanquin, the seat of which appears to have been fashioned from the skull of an enormous lizard. Upon this bestial throne was a broad-shouldered creature with greenish flesh, perhaps a troll. Although he wore glistening plate armor and what likely passes for regal finery among these creatures, he had no weapon. A bone, blood-stained headdress rests atop his head. Enemy Forces Sighted: Kobolds (44) Goblins (40) Hobgoblins (22) Orcs (20) Bugbears (11) Ogres (4) Troll???? In addition, the host has a number of trained beasts and animals. These are typically mangy and scarred individuals, the winners of many pit fights and abuses. The worgs are the province of the goblins, the dire apes answer to the hobgoblins, the boars are each a companion to an ogre, and the kobolds master the dire badger. Worgs (8) Dire apes (4) Boars (2) Dire badger Will continue to observe until receive intructions or relief. Destin
  • Voice in this message is obviously concerned, but does not sound panicked. Messages reads: Believe we have located the main body of enemy forces spread over three camps, in triangular formation. Camps are separated from each other by approximately 200 yards. Force is well organized and disciplined. They are well dug in on high ground approximately 45 miles East-North-East of RedGate. Center of triangular encampment is occupied by large hide tent. We are unable to observe occupants directly, but large amounts of fresh foodstuffs have bee delivered in last 6 hours, mostly fresh uncooked meat. Also, three bound captives (including the only demy human we have observed) were dragged into the tent. They have not exited. The following numbers are approximate as close observation of enemy forces is difficult-- they are patrolling aggressively. Kobolds (150): Goblins (140): Worgs: 60 Hobgoblins (82): Orcs (200): Bugbears (110): Ogres (24): Minotaurs (3) Ogre Mage (8) Troll (4) Horses (100) Small Elephants (3) Twelve assorted carts & wagons carrying what may be siege weapons. Equipment appears very good, Cederic says their equipage reminds him of the way the Morens equipped their non-human troops. We will maintain loose observation. Message ends.
• Attacks on scouting parties lead by Anvil Basher have had some success, eliminating at two groups of about 10 each and scattering three more. However, pursuit of one of the routed scout groups revealed another large body of bestial troops well to the west of the first large group spotted.
• The new troop concentration is roughly equivalent in size to the previously identified “Main body.” Observation of the new group has revealed that it is being led by some kind of demonic troll.

RedGate

• Fifty of your House troops have been Federalized you have 30 offical troops left located as follows:
  • 5 in Correl
  • 6 at the Three Coins Lands
  • 19 at RedGate
• You have called your milita to active service. Current permanent population at RedGate: TOTAL 428 adults 208 children
  • 132 Human families (mostly ex-military from the Morenian war and failed adventurers) Adults: 230 males, 129 females, Children: 171, 67 under 2 years old
  • Hobbits: Adults -12 male 16 female, 26 children
  • Dwarves: Adults 11 males 6 females, 7 children
  • Elves: Adults 14 males 10 females, 4 children
• Your RedGate Militia well armed and armored (actually to above Imperial standard of equipment) is composed of 329 troops:
  • Humans 282 (182 male, 100 female) 80% have seen combat in at least one pitched battle. Well armed, 100 set up as mounted infantry, all trained to use missile weapons (50/50 long bow and crossbow)
  • Hobbits 16 (8 males, 8 females) 70% have seen combat before. Organized as slingers and scouts.
  • Dwarves 17 (11 males 6 females) All except one have been in combat. Heavy infantry, Heavy crossbow
  • Elves 24 (14 males 10 females) All have seen combat. Light infantry, snipers, all elven long bow
  • There are 34 people capable of casting at least one healing spell (some are intitates of Ilmatin that have this as a gift). You have stockpiled 6 fully charged wands of Cure Light, villagers come up with another 4. The wands are distributed to designated “medics,” people who can use them and have some independent healing skill.
  • For emergency defense of RedGate (which has happened several times over the last four years due to monstrous incursions of various types) most of the rest of the village population is organized as combat service support.
  • All planned village buildings have been completed including (these buildings are all stone and built with an eye to use as defensive positions):
    • Manor has been generally renovated and improved (I need a detailed plan for the manor if you want something specific)
    • Stone and Log palisade around most central buildings of the Villiage
    • 2 Bridges over river
    • Inn/Tavern with 15 rooms
    • Meeting House
    • General Store
    • Large Smithy
    • 5 Large Common barns with stables
    • Mill (located a half mile outside of town)
    • Temple to Ukkan, Temple to Ilmatin
    • Several stores
    • Barrel wright
    • Masonry finish building
    • Carpentry Center
    • Alchemists
    • Brewery
    • Winery
    • 42 Stone Homes
    • 27 Log cabins
    • Armoury/Constable’s Jail
  • The Mansion/Castle is up and running It is a somewhat modified and improved version of the original building: a three story fortified mansion with curtain wall, gate house, and storage buildings. The Mansion is situated on promontory above RedGate, it is 400 yards from the Mansion wall to the entrance to RedGate.
    • It has its own internal spring for water.
    • At a pinch you could bring everyone into the village into the Mansion, but it would be very crowded and food stores in the castle would not go far for the whole village.
  • 20 Open Sky Soldiers have just arrived from the Plains to aid there tribal brothers the Chosen. They have immediately begun ambush attacks on Horde scouts caught in small groups.
  • 20 Zoo barbarians are available and have been pulling stock close in to RedGate.
  • Subject to other orders the people of RedGate are trying to prep the fields and begin Spring planting. The process is very much slowed since they are only doing field work in the presence of sizable armed guard. And many people are working to prep RedGate for possible attack (making and planting pungi sticks etc)
  • There have been sporadic sighting reports by villagers of Orcs, Gnolls, and Worgs. Some of which are believable.
  • Astin your Priest of Salius is trying to organize Zone of Truth interrogations of RedGate citizens to locate spies etc. The process is slow he only has 2 Zones per day and they only last for 5 minutes each. He can effectives screen about 40 people per day.
  • Marcella your priest of Ilmatin is newly arrived and is spending all her time trying to create wands of Cure Light. She can make one per day until told to stop.