The Silvanesti Campaign - Arrival in Tarithnesti
29 Newkolt 349 AC
Shadow spends the two weeks catching up with Cassidy and trying to work with his squad. He seems down on himself for having wasted time chasing after magic lances instead of training with his squad. He begins working with them without Griffons and makes use of Mass Fly and Overland Flight along with other augmentation spells to make his squad stronger. He works on infiltration tactics and ambushes, ranged weapons and spells in conjunction, shared knowledge of the enemy’s weaknesses. He is under no illusion that these Elves are not skilled and capable but only wants to share a bit of the dark side tactics and how best to fight dirty.
Cassidy takes the whole thing in stride and enjoys himself immensely. As Shadow works with his troops, whipping them into shape, the kender takes a moment to point something out, "Hey, I get that you wanted special weapons to fight these dragons with but are there any that can stand up to your magic to begin with? I mean, a lance is basically one guy with a stick. He can only stab one dragon at a time but a fireball can hit two or three if you're lucky."
“Good points are not always found on the end of a stick!” Shadow gives Cassidy a side hug and says “Missed you too. Let’s go blast some goblins and hope we can skip the dying in dragon’s breath. First time is the hardest.”
Shadow shares Grotto’s enthusiasm and says, “Attack of the Flying Dwarf!”
Grotto approaches Shadow. "Count me in to slaughter those vile goblins! I hate their kind with every ounce of my being!"
Shadow shares his thoughts on scouting and scrying on the enemy once we have established contact. He discusses these ideas with Raz and Kysek.
The drow laughs, “I am sure your blades will have their way with those swine!”
Shadow asks for volunteers who want to fight or to support the group as they will have to setup a staging area for airborne operations.
Cedron looks at his medal and recalls brewing a pot of tea while waiting for the others to return to the warehouse. “I am honored.” He states as he awarded the medal.
Cedron approaches the Protector General and council members after the ceremony. “Respected leaders, I am sincerely grateful for your recognition. I wish to offer you my services in diplomacy and as an experienced wartime advisor. The focused support of your people and allies will be essential to overcome our enemies. I can assist you with communicating a clear message and help rally the community.”
General Tederai claps a hand on the minstrel-priest's shoulder. "The defenders of Tarithnesti are hard pressed. No dragons have been sighted yet but they are further north than our other cities. The Second Green Dragonarmy is receiving re-supply from the storehouses they captured in Kurinost. A messge to keep their spirits up would be invaluable at this point."
Raven checks in with Alara and asks for a map of the area they have been tasked with defending. There are no topographical indicators, just the depiction of a forested area with a black dot representing Tarithnesti and a blue line showing the path of the Thon-Thalus River.
Eilra taps him on the shoulder, "General Tederai's staff lists Commander Parnitha as the leader of the city's defenders. She has a company of light infantry and a company of archers." She pauses, "Are you going to join the fighting there?"
Raven nods, "I am."
"I want to go with you," Eilra tells him, "I can fight."
"I know," he says quietly. "But, it is not my place to grant or deny you that permission. You are yours to command, not mine," he pauses, "If you do come, I would like for you to remain either with the command staff doing what you are doing now or with the archers, if that is possible."
"Then I will speak with Shadow, Ra'ziir, or Kysek," she replies.
Ra’ziir tells Captain Summerwalker that her insight would be appreciated on the expedition. He then joins Raven in studying the maps of the region. The Eldritch Knight mentally notes places that may provide a squadron of griffon riders either refuge or advantage. The city has two warehouses directly on the river that could serve as a makeshift aerie should the need arise.
Ra’ziir will scope that out and direct efforts to bring it up to service.
Kysek slips the Rauthar dagger intonhis belt and passes an old dagger of his to Cassidy. “Here you go little one. You’ve fought along side us long enough. You should have something to defend yourself in close quarters.” He hands the Kender the enchanted dagger he replaced. “Any one of us can teach you to use it.” he adds.
Cassidy laughs and says with a smile, "Um...it's a dagger. I stick the pointy end in the other guy, right?"
“Yes, Cassidy; the pointy end goes in the bad guy.”, the elf chuckles! “However; there are some finer points of finesse you can learn to help you improve your skill.”, he adds.
He then seeks out Ornforithalas. “Will you march with my troops while Dusk and I scout ahead and cover you from the treetops? I couldn’t think of anyone better as you’ve worked with these elves way more than I.”
"Of course, I would be honored to lead your scouts," Ornforithalas replies.
“Thank you, my friend! I knew I could count on you!”, he replies.
He also studies the maps with Raven and Raz. “I believe a stealthy approach and a trap to spring on the Worg Riders could be best. Especially if we can decimate the rider ranks before the dragons become aware of what has happened. I believe this approach could best leave our forces already there on the ground the best chance to defend themselves before the dragons get involved. What do you guys think?” Kysek states looking for input from his long time companions.
"Removing the mobility of the worgs would definitely be beneficial. I have no problem presenting myself and a handful of volunteers as bait to lure the goblins into the open," Raven says with a grim smile.
"Agreed," says Romulus. "I have a few new spells I haven't had a chance to test in combat yet, count me in."
“Let’s figure out our best funnel point and make this happen. We must move sooner rather than later. Our forces on the ground are counting on us," the thief turned mage, turned griffon rider states.
Raven looks up from the map, "We need to leave soon. You wizards should fly ahead. Ornforithalas and I will bring the scouts in on foot. It will be a four-day hike to reach Tarithnesti but we can run drills along the way to make sure that they are ready."
Cedron nods, “I will join those flying ahead, and work on crafting a message for the people.”
In just a few short hours, Raz, Shadow, Kysek, Cedron, and Grotto, joined by two other griffon riders depart. They follow the river north and west, skimming the treetops to avoid presenting obvious targets to enemy troops. In takes just over two hours to make the journey.
They arrive in the northern elven city and introduce themselves to Commander Parnitha. After speaking with the ranger, she arranges for an assembly of her city's defenders - less than a combined total of 100 surviving archers and spearmen.
Cedron steps up to address the gathered companies and calls for attention.
“Defenders of Tarithnesti, hear me!"
His voice carries across the town square, rich and pure, like the toll of a bell.
"You stand farther north than any of our sister cities. You stand where the wind bites hardest, where the nights are longest, and where the enemy believes fear should already have claimed you. Yet you still stand."
A few of the gathered warriors mutter amongst themselves, wondering what business this HUMAN has addressing them but the minstrel-priest presses on, his voice and cadence, rising and falling like the lyrics of a song, his tone drawing their attention and holding it fast.
Cedron continues, "No dragon darkens our skies this day. No shadow has passed over your shields. That is not a sign of weakness—it is a moment of breath granted to those who know how to use it. Steel is being readied. Walls are being watched. Courage is being sharpened.
Yes, the Second Green Dragonarmy gorges itself on stolen stores from Kurinost. Let them. Every loaf they take binds them to the road. Every supply chain stretches their arrogance thinner. They march heavy with plunder; you stand light with purpose.
Remember who you are.
You are the shield at the edge of the world. You are the warning bell that never failed to ring. If Tarithnesti holds, the realm holds. If Tarithnesti endures, hope endures."
By this time, several elves shout out in agreement, prompting others to join in.
And Cedron continues.
When the enemy comes—and they will—let them find not trembling hands, but steady ones. Let them find warriors who know that being hard pressed is not the same as being broken.
Stand together. Watch the skies. Trust the shield beside you.
Tarithnesti still stands. And as long as it does, so do we all!”
And all of the gathered elves, the surviving defenders of Tarithnesti, go $^@%@ wild.
30 Newkolt 349 AC
With Ornforithalas at the head of the column, Raven at the rear, and Romulus in the middle, the scout companies commanded by Kysek, Ra'ziir, and Shadow set out from Silvanost. Cassidy drifts from one end of the column to the other, chatting happily with the marching troops. The elves politely tolerate his presence but keep a closer eye on their belongings whenever he draws close to them.
Raven and Eilra walk side-by-side. "If the fighting starts to get bad, you get to me as fast as you can so we can shift to the Lodge where you will be safe."
"Raven," she begins, "My people are at war for their very survival. I have no right to do any less than them."
Raven exhales slowly. "I don't like this."
"What happened to 'you are yours to command'?"
"I'm not commanding you. I'm just telling you that I don't like this."
Meanwhile, in Tarithnesti...
Ra'ziir and Shaodw look over the two riverside warehouses and select one for use as an aerie and staging zone, although, really, there isn't much that can be done aside from shifting crates and boxes around to make stalls for the griffons and some "tables".
Commander Parnitha has her few remaining troops out scouting in the woods. When they report back and update her on the Dragonarmy forces massed against them, they reveal that the defenders are outnumbered nearly four to one. When the reinforcements, led by Raven, Romulus, and Ornforithalas arrive, that number will drop to two-and-one-half to one.
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