Rise of Drekis: Chapter 2 Episode 10

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==Synopsis==
After their bloody battle in the mountain pass the party rest up in the fort just outside of Santa Barbara. Elaine evaluates Vincent's readiness to use a powerful fireball scroll against their adversaries, while Willa confronts her recent failures. Troubling news of orc sightings triggers skepticism from Vincent, prompting concerns about enchantment magic. Vincent suggests drastic action against Elaine, leading to a tense confrontation. Despite the turmoil, the party faces an ambush by orcs and warg riders, leading to chaos in Santa Barbara, where Elaine and her soldiers fail to defend the town.
== Recap ==
=== Important Conversations: August 10th, 1517 ===
During their much-needed rest, the party is stationed in the fort just outside of Santa Barbara. Elaine consults with Vincent, who is engrossed in studying the scroll bestowed upon him by Richard Marshal, to ascertain his readiness to wield such a formidable weapon against their adversaries. Vincent ardently declares his preparedness, even though it goes against his nature. He laments the fact that peaceful negotiations were impossible but understands that Geraldine Silverworth has left them with no choice. Elaine tells Vincent that she has never seen a fireball spell used before but describes seeing her own subordinate cooked alive in his own armor from a magic spell. Though seldom discussed, the horrors of magic loom ominously, and Vincent, once a modest cartographer, now faces the daunting prospect of confronting the horrors head-on.
Following her conversation with Vincent, Elaine finds Willa alone in the courtyard, fashioning an arrow amidst the rain. Willa is from Outlast, which in the Akuban War was conquered and joined the Akubans against Drekis. Eventually Drekis recaptured the city but the people of Outlast were forever viewed as traitors and cowards. Elaine knows this history rests heavily on Willa’s shoulders, and in wake of her fleeing in their last battle, it is not surprising to Elaine that Willa is taking it hard. Elaine sits next to her in the rain. After 15 minutes of contemplative silence, Willa relinquishes her knife to Elaine, assuming a posture of submission, as if prepared for execution. Elaine gently probes into the events of the previous battle, prompting Willa to confess her fear-driven retreat, branding herself a coward. Elaine questions the place of cowardice within the ranks, prompting Willa to lament her lifelong quest to defy the cowardice associated with her homeland, now seemingly rendered futile by recent events. Willa explains how she has failed Elaine, her men, her country, her mission, her people, and her family. She then asks Elaine to put her out of her misery. In response, Elaine reassures Willa that her unwavering loyalty underscores the trust she has placed in her, enabling her to embark on expeditions with confidence in Willa's steadfastness. She tells her that true courage is demonstrated by those who don't give up after failing, but continue to fight one. Encouraged by Elaine's words, Willa is commanded to rejoin her comrades and ready themselves for the impending battle.
=== Troubling News: August 12th, 1517 ===
In the afternoon of August 12, a goat herder rushes into Santa Barbara and alerts Crumpet, who is on patrol duty, about a sighting of approximately 10 orcs mounted on wargs, spotted 7 miles west of town. Crumpet promptly relays this information to Elaine and Vincent back at the fort, triggering immediate skepticism from Vincent regarding the credibility of the report. Vincent posits that the wargs would never let a simple goat herder escape after being spotted, therefore the goat herder is either mistaken, lying, charmed, or left alive to bait the party into an ambush. Upon hearing Vincent's arguments, Crumpet requests a private audience with Elaine, expressing her suspicion that Vincent might be under the influence of a charm spell given his swift dismissal of the goat herder's testimony. Elaine acknowledges the concern but states that there are limited options if Vincent is indeed enchanted, but promises to monitor him closely.
Despite deliberating on various strategies to confront the warg riders, Vincent remains unconvinced of their existence and proposes employing his magical abilities to interrogate the goat herder for the truth. The party agrees and heads into Santa Barbara. Vincent and the party locate Brandon, the sheep herder, and visit his residence to inquire further. Inside, Vincent casts to extract Brandon's truthful testimony, which echoes his earlier report to Crumpet. Vincent concludes that the man is likely charmed, suggesting a ploy to ensnare the party into a trap. Given this information, Vincent advises caution and recommends staying put to focus on recuperation. While acknowledging the potential danger, Elaine opts to confront the enemy away from the town to minimize civilian risk, issuing orders for the party to prepare for the pursuit of the warg riders.
=== Elaine vs Vincent ===
After the order is given, Vincent approaches Crumpet alone, expressing concerns about Elaine's mental state and questioning if she is charmed. He explains that Elaine is knowingly leading them into a death trap and advocates for decisive action to stop her. He then suggests putting her to sleep with a spell. Hearing this, Crumpet immediately tells Elaine what Vincent suggested. In response, Elaine issues a chilling warning, asserting that if Vincent were to cast such a spell, Crumpet should swiftly eliminate him.
Later that evening, the party, accompanied by Elaine's soldiers, embarks towards the location where the wargs were sighted. However, en route between the town and the fort, Elaine halts the procession. Confronting Vincent, she demands the return of the scrolls obtained from Richard Marshal. Though hesitant, Vincent complies with the order. As tension mounts, Elaine's soldiers cautiously draw their weapons, casting wary glances at Vincent and Vordren. Elaine decrees that Vincent and Vordren are no longer fit for their mission, commanding them to relinquish their arms. In compliance, Vincent surrenders his spellbook and signals for Vordren to disarm. Subsequently, the two men are bound and gagged.
=== Orc Ambush ===
The party presses forward toward the location of the wargs until they reach the edge of a wooded area. Crumpet volunteers to scout within the forest and sets off despite Vincent's muffled protests. Her attempt at stealth proves ineffective as a band of ten orcs emerges from the vegetation, hurling javelins at her. Several strikes land, gravely injuring the halfling, but she manages to evade further harm as she flees the forest, enduring additional javelin assaults.
As Crumpet rejoins the party, a group of ten warg riders emerges from the wooded terrain, swiftly circling around the party and making a beeline towards Santa Barbara. Despite the flurry of activity, the archers along with Elaine, manage to unleash multiple volley of arrows, felling one orc and inflicting injuries upon several others. Nonetheless, the warg riders press on towards the town, leaving the party trailing in their wake.
Before chasing after the wargs back to Santa Barbra, Elaine has to make a decision about what to do with Vincent and Vordren. After discussing with Crumpet Elaine decides to have her soldiers beat the two men unconscious and carry them back to Santa Barbara. Upon their arrival at the town, a scene of chaos unfolds before them, with several buildings ablaze and orcs ravaging the populace. Engaging the assailants, Elaine and her soldiers succeed in dispatching one warg before the remaining orc riders retreat towards the mountains.
==Experience==
No experience given this episode.
Category:Rise of Drekis Episodes
Category:Rise of Drekis