Previous: The Sword
Session 20: Smallstone
After returning the holy items to the Tharkilite priests and told them about the crypt thing. The group returned to Riverton for some rest and relaxation.
Two weeks later, the group was starting to get restless when Corwynne overheard some men talking about a keep to the south that the man was afraid would be taken by some of the local humanoid tribes. She approached the man to get more information and the man explained that on the southern coast of the island there is a small keep called Smallstone. The keep was originally built to protect a small mining operation. Smallstone was, until recently, a garrison for a small contingent of troops. The troops had been pulled out of the keep and the keep had fallen into disrepair.
Corwynne went to Allister and discussed taking the keep for themselves. Allister seemed to agree that it was a good idea and they went to the rest of the group to see if they agreed. They agreed and the group decided they would leave in a couple of days after getting all of the necessary supplies.
The night before they were to leave, Ollorin was sitting in the tavern, continuing his usual binge drinking, when three dwarves entered the tavern and started drinking with Ollorin. The four dwarves were enjoying themselves greatly when a group of human entered and picked a fight with Ollorin and his new friends. Everyone involved in the melee was trained to fight without weapons. Allister, Flynn, and Corwynne heard the commotion from their rooms and rushed to the aid of their friend. Allister quickly hacked one of the monks nearly in half. Ollorin yelled "get the sword out of here you dolt", seemingly taking offense to the fact that Allister was using a sword, even though the sword was no more lethal than the monk's fists. Allister withdrew from the fight and left. The dwarves had dropped one of the human monks, and when two of their number had fallen, the two remaining human monks ran out of the door. Shortly afterward, the group heard a whistle from outside. Figuring that it was the city guard, the dwarves all ran up to Ollorin's room. Allister came down stairs and spoke with the guards. He told them what happened and offered to turn himself over to the authorities. The guard told him to go to the mayor's mansion in the morning to explain. The guard believed Allister that it was self-defense since he recognized the men as local troublemakers.
The following morning Allister went to the mayor's mansion. After a long conversation with the mayor, Allister was exonerated and the mayor gave him his blessing to try and claim Smallstone keep. The mayor also told Allister that the man he killed was a highly respected citizen of the town and expressed disappointment that he would have to break the news. Allister offered to tell the man.
Allister approached the smithy of Kelvim, the father of the dead troublemaker. Kelvim was understandably distraught, but he seemed to know that this day was coming.
After spending one more night in Riverton, the group headed south towards Smallstone Keep. Three days later, when the group was approaching the keep. Corwynne flew forward to scout the keep from above. She saw the basic layout and the fact that a large number of orcs had taken up residence in the keep.
The group tried to cause a diversion that would allow Allister and Ollorin to get up to the keeps' walls. Raymond set up camp outside of bow range, but lit a fire so the orcs would see him from the distance. He made it look like he was alone. Raymond had cast silence on a stone that Allister was carrying to allow him to get closer. Unfortunately the plan worked too well. Seeing a lone man out on the field, the orcs sent a group of six orc warriors to capture or kill him. Allister and Ollorin, realizing that six orc warriors would likely be too difficult for Raymond and Corwynne to defeat alone doubled back and helped to defeat the orcish vanguard.
After the battle was over the group heard the orcs rallying to defend the keep so they retreated to the abandoned mine that the keep was originally built to protect. Inside of the mine, the group encountered an evil cleric with a troll bodyguard. After a tough battle, the group defeated the troll and its master.