AitAL Planning

Episode 2: Gilhold in Flames
Session: 25-11-2021

Beats

Pelir 35th, 23:00

"After an hour of sneaking through the town, and an hour of rest the sun has well and truly set on Gilhold, but the light of torches and bonfires provide ample light. Your arrival surprised the defenders of the keep and their Governess, and your aid to the villagers you've led to safety has already earned you gratitude. Marlyne Faering has requested your help, asking you to slip back into the town to help stranded villagers or to harass the raiders. An especially stealthy approach is required, with the raiders having all but isolated the keep after the party made a fairly extravagant entrance."

• The Governess offers to show to take the players up to the parapet to get a better overview of what her militia has spotted so far.
• Escobert will guide them to the entrance of the old tunnel, which is located inside the keep's cellar. He suggests this is a good way to sneak townsfolk into the keep.

The Old Tunnel

The Tunnel runs from the Keep's cellar, underneath the keep and down to the bank of the river.

• The tunnel is wide enough to walk single file.
• The entrance in the keep is covered by an iron-bound door, while the stream exit is covered with an iron grate made to look like a sewer outlet.
• The tunnel was designed as a secret access to the river to get water during a siege.

With the Keep and the town not having seen a siege in decades the door has been covered by crates and barrels. Escobert carries the key.

Locks

• The iron-bound door is unlocked with Escobert's key. Though stiff, it opens fairly easily.
• The grate on the exit has been heavily corroded after decades of disuse.
  • With the key, a DC10 Dex check is necessary
  • Without the key, a DC 20 Dex check with thieves tools.
  • Failing any of these checks will make it impossible to open the lock, as both the key and the tools break. Forcing the grate requires DC 15 strength check and makes a lot of noise.

Enemies

A group of cultists and kobolds is searching the stream for townsfolk when the players emerge. If they don't spot the players they will pass the tunnel after a few minutes.

1. If the characters open the lock with a key or thieves tools the first one out notices the cultists without being seen.
2. If the check fails, the cultist will spot the players when they exit the tunnel, starting initiative.
3. If the grate had to be forced open, the cultists will lay an ambush and gain a surprise round.

The group consists of 2 cultists and 6 kobolds.

• If any cultists are alive at the beginning of the 4th round they will run off to get help.
  • If escaped, a group of 2 cultists, 6 kobolds, 3 ambush drakes will guard the entrance ten minutes later.

Reward

The primary reward is the tunnel itself. It can be used as long as it remains secret.

• Every time the players use the tunnel, roll 1d6. (Enemies as rolled on the encounter table)
  • 1: Players are seen and engaged.
  • 2: Players are seen but not engaged, and will instead find an ambush waiting for them when they return.

The Keep

The Dragon Attack

The blue dragon that accompanied the raid will attack between 23:00 and 00:00, regardless of what the players do. His chief contribution to the raid is his Frightful Presence - but this is wearing off as the defenders are overcoming their fear. At 23:00, the dragon launches its final assault against the keep.

Frulam Mondath - the Raid leader - orders the attack, knowing that the adventurers are in the keep at that time.

• Lennithon flies over the keep, using his breath weapon when he is close enough, but always keeps at least 25ft distance.
• There are 20 NPCs on the parapets, each of which take a shot at disadvantage +4 vs 19AC at him when he flies close.
• Each round that Lennithon uses his breath weapon, he kills 1d4 defenders and injures 1d6 more. These are replaced after a round.
  • He doesn't explicitly target the PCs, but they take standard damage (12d10 lightning) if hit. DC 19 dex save.

Lennithon departs after taking 24 damage, or a critical hit - flying off towards the east when he does so.

Support

Every time the players successfully return from a mission they will be given support from NPCs.

• Governess Marlyne Faering will be around for information and tactical advice. She will also occasionally give the players 'rewards'.
  • Bringing back a prisoner alive will net them a Potion of Heroism and 2 Potions of healing. She knows what these potions are, saying she saved them in case of dire need.
  • Bringing back 10 or more villagers will net them a wand of Magic Missiles
• Escobert can provide them with some support of the militia, if they ask for it.

If they save the priest from the chapel

• Arth Smartwhisk is a 3rd level Cleric with Domain of Life and knows the following spells he can cast to help the players:

1. 1st Level (4 slots / 1 used): Bless*, Cure Wounds*, Command, Detect Magic
2. 2nd Level (2 slots): Lesser Restoration*, Spiritual Weapon*, Enhance Ability, Continual Flame, Prayer of Healing, Silence

The Town

Governess Faering explains that they need information about why the raiders are here exactly, and capturing one of them - especially a commander of sorts - would be a good way to get this info.

• She wants to be there when the interrogating happens.

Buildings of note

1. The Keep
2. Escape Tunnel
3. Sanctuary
4. The Mill

NPCs

Governess Marlyne Faering

The woman who runs Gilhold.

• A half-elven woman, about 100 years old.
• If the characters ask who is in charge, they are directed to Faering. She is located atop the parapet of the keep when the sky is clear, or inside if the dragon is attacking.
• If the characters don't seek out the governess when they reach the keep, she finds them. Either way, Faering welcomes them and takes them to the parapet, from where they have the best view of Gilhold.
• Bandages across her face, and her right arm is in a sling - her green attire is stained with her own blood.

Marlyne is a stern woman, able to stand her own with any one handed weapon at her disposal. She is also able to command magic equal to a 2nd level bard.

• Will do anything in her power to save Gilhold
• Does not let herself be toyed with

Castellan Escobert the Red

Shield-dwarf of the Gilhold Keep, sporting a knotted, tangled beard and bright red hair. He is in charge of defenses and knows the keep inside and out, also carrying any necessary keys.

• For the Sally port, players will be directed to him.

Encounters