(Continued from Session 012)
Whipp questioned the Barstonian soldiers, who said they were taking 4 magic users as prisoners north to Ikhil to "serve His Majesty." Whipp then tried to convince them to hand over the prisoners for us to take South toward the front, but the main Barstonian officer was of higher rank than Whipp's (pretend) rank and refused. At that point, Whipp attacked with a spell and battle commenced.
Orla cast invisibility on Morro so that he could sneak up and try to free the prisoners, which he did while battle was raging. Unfortunately, the prisoners chose to run away rather than getting involved in the fight.
Whipp and Kestyn both took quite a bit of damage, though Gulden moved to the front line to heal Kestyn. However, most of the enemies then chose to attack Gulden, who came very close to unconsciousness. Kestyn spent much of the battle in a reckless rage, attacking whichever enemy had hit him last, while Whipp was able to kill or help kill both of the main officers. Enna entangled several enemies at the beginning and then killed several enemies while in crocodile form, crushing them with her teeth.
Orla was able to use Suggestion to get the remaining enemies to surrender after the tide tipped toward our group, but Kestyn was enraged and didn't even notice, while Whipp made a rational choice to kill them in battle rather than as prisoners (leaving them alive didn't seem to be an option). Orla was also able to use Message to get some of the prisoners to return and help fight their captors toward the end of battle.
Eventually, all the Barstonians were killed, and the prisoners explained who they were and what had happened. Arayo the Cleric, Hannemon the Wizard, Keng the Druid, and Lombardi the Bard thanked our group for their freedom and decided to join the resistance against the invaders. They went toward Jalabard (in 2 groups of 2) to meet with Tanya and possibly Biafro and to learn any news. Orla wrote them a letter, sealed with the breadloaf seal, to give to Tanya.
Hannemon's family is still in Iona, and Kestyn promised to look them up if we are in the area, to make sure they are ok and to tell them that Hannemon is alive and (mostly) safe. The prisoners explained that at least 2 other Cropsingers escaped the initial capture, though their whereabouts are unknown.
Our group set one cart on fire to help burn the enemy soldiers, took uniforms and equipment, and took the other cart with 2 oxen off in the general direction of the mountain tunnels, traveling south until nightfall, with the plan to sleep in the magical hut overnight and then continue on the next day.
Party Experience Before Session: 15,324XP
Experience Earned:
Party Experience After Session: 19,424XP
Needed For Level 5: 6 * 6,500XP = 39,000XP
Note: Gulden is already level 5 because he needs to be for his profession. He won't gain experience until the rest of the party catches up with him.