A6: Scene 2 – Bandits

[ From the scenario “Gloom on Weathertop”, by Neal Hyde] 

13 July, Broken Wagon: They spent another 3 days on the road, camping to the side, when they finally came within sight of the fabled Weather-Top hill where the ruins of Amon Sul lay. Thran was the first to spot the horseless wagon angled off the road ahead. One broken wheel laid on the ground beside a lifeless blood-smeared body that still clung to his blade. A dead goat laid slaughtered behind the wagon. A woman in a long dress (with blood on her dress and arm) leaned against the wagon, weeping. 

Kyan immediately thought ambush and rode into the trees to the left as the others dismounted and came closer. And that’s when the woman propped herself up on the rear wheel and cried out, “No please. You’ve taken my children. What more can you want?” She shunned Thran’s attempt to heal her as she distrusted their intent, “There lies my husband, Kier.” Too late did Thran realize she wasn’t really cut…the blood was just goat-blood as disguise. Maura suddenly stabbed Thran with her hidden dagger as Kier came to life, standing with his blade drawn and also attacked the elf! Her words “There lies” was the signal for archers in the woods to attack.

Ambush: But Kyan was ready as he slowly rode thru the woods in search…he spotted the 4 archers as they stood to fire. “Ambush! Attack.” His wolfhound charged the nearest bandit. [fumble] Just as Kyan hefted his spear to throw, his horse suddenly reared and threw the dwarf instead. As Thran grasped his staff to attack, he suddenly felt a new energy from the magical weapon…a new spell entered his mind. He jabbed the butt-end to the ground and thought Thunderwave: energy pulsed from the staff creating a shockwave that threw his attackers 30ft backwards. [fumbled CONsave] Maura was knocked further down the road while Kier was slammed against the tongue of the wagon (where the horses would be tied). 

Theo rushed into the woods to join Kyan attacking the archers. Those bandits changed to blades and attacked: 2 on the dog and 2 on Theo. Theo fought back and killed one bandit and wounded another. Kier stood and attacked the Beorning. Kyan stood and charged with RingRist: the flare blinded those bandits. Still on horseback, Calanhir rode into the woods to the right, having spotted more archers who fired at Thran. Calanhir trampled one bandit as the other took cover behind a tree. Meanwhile, Thran advanced on Maura only to find her unconscious. He used the opportunity to heal himself. 

Kyan called off his wounded wolfhound/dog as he slayed another bandit. Theo killed Kier which encouraged their last foe to surrender. Meanwhile, the last archer on the other side of the road fired at Thran. Pissed, the elf cast another spell [increased DC]: a bolt of lightning shot out towards the archer who was wracked with electrical damage. [failed CONsave] The Chain Lightning lept towards Calanhir’s horse, also causing damage. And the chain continued towards the next target: Calanhir upon the horse! He too was electrocuted! Oops?!   

At least the last archer survived to surrender. With 2 bandits tied up and with Maura finally awake, they interrogated their prisoners. Maura could only scowl as the others broke their silence, “We were hired by that merchant Falcor back in Bree to capture travelers for slave labor up on Amon Sul.  Maura is our team leader, but Cormag is the real leader up at the site where slaves dig for some relic shard.” 

And that’s when Kyan reflected back on Weldon’s rescue. How they found scrolls scattered in his house, but when they returned them to the map case, two maps were missing: Barrow Downs and Amon Sul. Kyan mused, “Falcor forgot to tell us about this operation!” 

Giving the elf a stern sneer for his lightning injuries, and looking up to the hill, Calanhir recalled the history of the area. “What could they be digging for? According to legend, the palantir was moved by King Arveleg defending this noble fortress.” He continued, “It was in the Third Age when the Witch-king launched an assault on Arthedain and Cardolan at the fortress of Amon Sul. After a battle outside the fortress that favored the invaders, the tower was besieged. King Arveleg, knowing the palantir of Amon Sul was in danger, had it secreted north to his capital in Fornost.” 

Calanhir offered to remain behind with the prisoners, but not before offering this tale:

NEXT SESSION: A6: Scene 3 – Gloom on Weathertop

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