Previous: Coopertown
Rendezvous (Session #9)
As the group stood in front of the house with its spectral occupant, they decided that they would deal with the rageweed transaction before sending the restless spirit to its final peace.
Instead the group continued their exploration of Coopertown, hoping to find an advantage when the ship arrived. For the most part, however, the ghost town was just as it seemed, abandoned.
After waiting for the two days, Rory and Gaelen found a comfortable spot to watch for the arrival of the smuggler's ship. In the dusk twilight, the two spied a schooner heading towards the coast where they were waiting. Rory left Gaelen to watch their approach and went back to Coopertown to warn the rest of the group.
Unbeknownst to either Rory or Gaelen, their companions were fighting for their lives in the ruined village.
Blaine, Kyle, and Kruenor each found a spot where they figured they could fight unimpeded. As they were setting their spots, they were ambushed. It was as if the shadows themselves came to life. Before they knew it, they were set upon by a large group of rogues. While they were distracted by their preparations, the companions didn't see the group of rogues exit the mine entrance to the south.
The rogues hit the group hard, nearly killing Blaine and Kruenor. Fortunately the paladin and cleric were able to use their magic to heal themselves before the killing blow felled them. After the initial shock of the ambush, the individual melees began to swing in the favor of the heroes, but they were still greatly outnumbered.
About halfway to the battle, Rory heard the faint sounds of battle and broke into a run, hoping to aid his friends.
Meanwhile, Gaelen watched a landing vessel get lowered to the glassy water and begin its voyage to shore.
Kruenor and the paladins were winning the battle, but the rogues still had reinforcements on the field. When in range, Rory released magic missiles at the rogues standing in their torchlight, killing one. Blaine went on an offensive flurry, dropping two of the rogues to the ground. When the rogues saw that the battle was turning against them, they ran.
Back near the shore, Gaelen watched as the smugglers rowed their way toward shore, when he was distracted by a lantern hood being thrown open about 60 feet away. When he looked toward the man with the lantern he recognized Jamar Steck, the rageweed dealer. After seeing the signal, the landing vessel turned to head back to the larger ship. Gaelen, without thinking, shot an arrow at Jamar Steck, missing him and alerting him to Gaelen's location. Jamar threw the lantern off the cliff and in the darkness returned fire on Gaelen, hitting Gaelen in the shoulder. Gaelen, nearly blind in the dim starlight, sprinted towards Coopertown, leaving the limping dealer alone in the darkness.
By the time Gaelen got to Coopertown, the battle was over.