Mutilate The Bodies!: Siege of Bordrin's Watch

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Active members of the "Deathbringers" adventuring party:

Lucas - Goliath Barbarian
Untiln Ow - Kalashtar Cleric
Zah'rie - Human Warlock
Zephel - Shadar-kai Swordmage

Guest members:

Harann - Dragonborn Fighter

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Active Quests:

(*Success*) Main Quest: Siege! Do your part to prepare for the impending siege by completing assignments. Upon assignment completion or changed situations, report back for new assignments.

(*Failed*) Minor Quest: Evacuation! Travel to the Monestary of the Sundered Chain; warn of the impending siege and evacuate the monks and paladins.

(*Success*) Minor Quest: Invasion! Follow the trail of the Farstriders and determine their fate. Locate The Nexus and secure it by any means.

(*Success*) Minor Quest: The Enemy Cometh! Assist the militias in defending Bordrin's Watch; use talents to turn the tide of battle to your favor.

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After a short rest, the party decided to cautiously reopen the secret hatch to The Nexus. A quick billow of hot steam shot out with a hiss; spilling down into the hatch, the sunlight reflected off the water revealing that the entire room was still full of boiling hot water. Just to be safe, the party resealed the hatch and set out for Bordrin's Watch.

Ascertaining their general position was easy; visible were The Vents to the east and Overlook to the northeast. The Nexus was located almost directly underneath the headwaters of the Elsir River, at the eastern base of The Hammer, one of the three major peaks in the region. Heading north by northwest the party soon caught The Dwarfroad, which they took the rest of the way west to Bordrin's Watch.

Arriving to once again see Bordrin's Watch was a relief; it still stood. The party was greeted immediately at the rear gate by Durkik Forgeheart. The party recounted all that had happened: The Farstriders had found The Nexus complex, but had been slain by Tusk's troops. The Nexus had been found and secured by way of a mechanism built for that exact purpose; Kalad had been slain but not before slowing the enemy enough to buy the party time to successfully secure The Nexus and escape; A massive orog, an accompanying shadar-kai warlock, and many orcs and orogs had all either been slain by the sword or succumbed to the boiling geothermal waters.

Durkik lamented the loss of Kalad, but praised his name as his sacrifice may have tipped the tides of war to the favor of peoples of the Elsir Vale. By description only, scouts confirmed that it was Tusk and his shadar-kai mistress, Myrissa that were slain in The Nexus chamber. Durkik revealed that Tusk's horde had recently mobilized and would soon be within sight of Bordrin's Watch. Word of what had transpired in The Nexus had likely also reached the enemy and they were on their way to make their attack.

Durkik delegated command of his troops to the adventurers; they were to serve during the siege as his lieutenants. A horn bellowed and bells began to ring around the keep; the standing watch doubled and the mercenaries and sell swords were marshaled into their positions. Last minute preparations were made while the enemy horde funneled up into the pass. Bullroarer, having scouted the terrain but a day earlier, reported to Durkik and the adventurers the possible and most likely paths that the enemy forces would attempt to exploit. Party members and those troops delegated to them spoke to groups of troops to uplift their spirits; some of the ancient wards on the walls and gate doors were temporarily bolstered; supplies were checked for defects and moved into siege position.

The enemy entered artillery and arrow range, and the forces of Bordrin's Watch made good of the high ground and opened fire first. Almost immediately a volley or arrows returned and rained down atop the battlements of the keep. Blake and few clerics from Brindol saw to the wounds of those caught by arrow fire. The adventurers and their crews helped sight in the artillery for maximum effect, assisted artillery crews to more rapidly fire, and to apply temporary magic enchants to the artillery's ammunition to better sway the battle to their favor.

The horde's casualties were nearly impossible to quantify, but they kept coming. Eventually they made it up to the massive gate of the keep; all manner of magic and weapon fire were exchanged at the walls of the keep. Artillery continued firing at the ranks further to the back while orog siege weaponry returned fire with massive boulders. Beena and a group of sharpshooters sniped through arrow slits at the enemies below. The horde managed to get a crude battering ram to the gate and began attempt to breach it.

The adventurers and their crews made busy tending to the wounds of those caught by the massive firefight, shouting powerful and demoralizing words from the the top of the battlements down to the enemy below, and channeling power to amplify the potency of spells cast by the battlemages. Rock and some other stout dwarfs set to buttressing the gate doors. Multiple cauldrons of boiling oil were poured upon the enemy horde, particularly those that were attempting to break open the gate doors.

By this time a particularly perceptive orc shouted "We is all gonna die!!", then he turned and ran. An orog commanding officer intercepted him and ordered him back to the front line, to which the orc replied "But boss, we is gettin all shot up!". The orog officer replied by decapitating the orc right on the spot. While such an act isn't unheard of and normally would discourage cowardice, it instead of inspired mutiny. A couple nearby orcs leapt upon the orog and killed him instantly.

Soon the entire force was fleeing; attempts to have the troops stand their ground was met with the same violence the orog commanding officer received. All this while the forces of Bordrin's Watch continued to rain death, both magical and mundane, upon the horde. As they ran, the dwarfs and their allies let out victorious shouts; horns sounded and resounded through the pass. Once again, the orcish hordes were reminded of why they stay clear of Bordrin's Watch and the Elsir Vale that it guards.

The day had been won and there was much rejoicing. Durkik released all the mercenary companies to return to Overlook for payment, while Bordrin's Watch remained at 150% normal garrison. It was pointed out by someone that of the original "Skillz dat Killz" party, only one member remained. In light of this and all they had been through together the party unanimously decided to rename the adventuring party; they were now to be known as the "Deathbringers".

The party returned to Overlook; the city celebrated all those that were present at the siege of Bordrin's Watch, particularly the Deathbringers. The party was more than satisfactorily compensated for their services, and was once again offered a moment of rest from the perils they had faced. The city as a whole rejoiced the victory and its populace rested content with the belief that they were now safe. But what was a dark creeper doing with orc forces? What could be discovered about the key he was carrying? There also was the sending stone recovered from the body of Jen. There was more happening here than just a centuries old blood feud between dwarfs and orcs.

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Loot Drops:

Bastard Sword w/Arcane Bonds +1 -