The party, inflight over the mountains towards Enstad have been intercepted by what appears to be a BlackRune wyvern patrol. Wanting them to land for further discussion, the Fellowship have a quick yelled and signal discussion and agree.
Looks to be 4 small white dragons from a distance, then they realize all are wyverns of the BlackRune Katsarlash Dragon Flight. A BR wyvern unit based out of Enstad on patrol.
These are wyverns stained or painted white with one stained blue. [Kantif make history check to glean knowledge of wyvern units that each have a dragon as their name and based on colour stain the wyverns same]
After some discussions and negotiations, the party drink and eat with the BlackRunes. The leader an albino orc named Aramez, seems eager to hear any news. She advises that the BlackRunes have retreated further, basically using the Lortmill mountains as the new front with the demonic forces of IUZ.
North, the forces of Overlord Romack have retreated eastwards further now the front is near the Kron hills, much of the North is now under the Demonic lord's control.
Aramez, asks the party if the Fellowship can do her a favour as well as pass on the news of the High mountain outpost. Doc and Kantif agree, she passes them a satchel with a scroll tube for a "Lord Siginar". Kantif knows this person is a Dragonborn, navy, from the south of Fax. Interesting - or strange - that a Navy commander of the BlackRune fleets is in Enstad. [DM: Kantif does not advise rest of the party]
Kantif asks if this information is secret, which seems to raise some suspicion in Aramez. Kantif has to decide quickly and provides a name of a Flight unit from Wayberry - BlackRune Dassinar Flight.
A keg is uncorked and some of the party partake in some drinks, Doc does lay of hands [expunging poison], a pungent mulled plum wine, one of the most powerful drinks Doc has tasted. Gothi does not partake. Aramez advises this will keep a drinker warm and Kantif realizes it seems to have a magical property to keep one warm.
The BlackRune flight takes off, saluting the heroes. The party travels onwards and make it over the peaks and down the East side of the mountains seeing large areas of forests as well as darker areas.. these are the once beautiful forests now burnt to the ground. The party makes camp. Gothi does some hunting and takes out a moose and the party dines well on moose meat.
Graxxuzzaz checked the satchel from Aramez, the lizardfolk does not Large "BR" on both clasps. There does not appear to be any visible magical traps on it. None detected. Laying the bag on the ground, uses a magehand cantrip to open the satchel. Copper metal scroll tube, with a wax seal. The party decides to leave it for now until further tools are acquired.
Gothi has a dream about F.E.R.A. and the colossus seems to speak with the ranger, "Gothi, I will always be with you.." With a start Gothi wakes up and everything looks to be transparent, she blinks her eyes and shakes her head as a pain shoots behind her eyes.
During the night watch, about 3AM, Doc receives a message from Skrit. "The Marshall has taken over he town. We are all safe in the mines or hills travelling back to Crescent Moon Monastery. The Marshall has new allies, strange 4-armed creatures, I have never encountered or heard of these. We prepare a counter-attack to retake our town! I hope you all are doing well. Salute."
Doc replies and then morning comes. Flight continues towards Enstad.
The Fellowship see 2 wagons along a track zigzagging up into the mountains.
2 wagons pulled by mules as well as a single horserider can be seen following a narrow track going Southwards off the main road. A closer look will with high perception show both wagons are full of furniture, boxes, and people. One wagon has a broken wheel. 1 wagon is 2-wheeled [not covered] pulled by 3 mules. Stacked high with boxes, chairs, a table, and even what appears to be a large harp wrapped up in a tarp. 4 people huddle on top as well. 2 children, a woman and a lizardfolk holding the reigns. 2nd wagon is 4-wheeled pulled by 5 mules and what appears to be a warhorse in barding. Also stacked with bags, boxes, and furniture, covered. A large heavy crossbow is mounted at front. 2 drivers, human and a dwarf.
The party land nearby and approach. At first, both parties are wary and then after some greetings, it seems these are refugees from the area in or around, were going towards
The refugees are coming from Enstad when the explosion mushroomed up it destroyed the mountain pass so they have had to turn back and found a small path - they hope - will taken them over the mountains south. The city of Enstad is at WAR.
There appear to be 2 factions:
One is the BlackRunes and the other is a large Undead infestation that surprisingly appears to be well directed and controlled by some intelligence…
The Black Runes hold about just under 1/2 the city. Engaging with undead as and when needed to hold them off but other than a sometimes blocked river causeway, are cut off from outside. The approaching forces of IUZ from the Kron hills to the North is a major concern to all...
The refugees advise they are not associated with the BlackRunes or others. Just trying to get away from the war and all the horror.
After helping with the wheel they hear of a wounded knight in the group.
Keernik [H-M] Keernok [D-M] they are aware of the joke on their name and have worked together for many years as a crew. "Not related" is their 1st comment giving names. 5 other people huddle in back amongst the furniture and boxes. 2 children, 1 baby a teenager and a wounded elf male.
Boen and Boek [twins human boys], Spring [H-F baby] Şefika [H-F], Ser Brancin Tolinnar Zinotrris and ELF male.
Ser Brancin is wounded with a necrotic wound in his chest - a large open wound into his lung that he wheezes and coughs to breathe - defending the refugees. A gaping hole in his chest shows his beating heart - a powerful undead attack - specter, wight or powerful ghoul. standard magical or normal healing would not be able to have any effect on the powerful curse or similar. Obaz and Doc assist the knight to the point where he is stable but still slipping in and out of consciousness. Gothi is able to provide a poultice as well to assist with his healing.
The refugees are very grateful. They hear of the town the Fellowship have created and advise on how to get there. They will travel the back roads to try and get there, but it looks like a difficult road but the best option.
The two lizardfolk meet, as Graxxuzazz recites his many titles, the other - Sillissar is tall and thin. All stop working as the sorcerer listen to the vast list of titles. Sillissar advises he has seen the circus and it is still there! It seems the circus is not quite as good, trying to escape, but due to the exotic creatures and moving them is difficult. They reside at the Golden River Inn [DM: BlogPost].
Kantif asks if any of the refugees have a forgery kit then backtracks to a 'writer's kit'. None do. The party moves on flying again.
That night, they come upon some ruins and make camp.
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