Greetings Adventurers. This is Chris and we’re picking up the journeys of Octarin Stevius and the Wolves of the 11th. He addresses the troops (0:56) in the morning, directing a little ire at Cosnash as he was late returning from a patrol, more to be heard on that later. They break and head to Dragons Bridge, a descently fortified village out West. They’d spend a little time there making sure things are in order before moving on.
After taking a moment to give some tough love to the scouts, the Wolves arrive at the gates of Dragons Bridge (3:18). Octarin reminisces slightly about having been here when he was younger, but noting this would be the first time he’d set eyes on the bridge, if the fog allowed it. He then speaks with Uthgerd and they set out a loose plan, then sets Marcurio to do some recon, and does a little bit himself.
After a brief discussion with Marcurio, information isn’t effectively communicated and Octarin spends some time chasing his tail (7:09). Either the guard didn’t relay it, or Marcurio didn’t listen, but the information was from a courier from Rorikstead, which is where they’d actually be heading next, conveniently.
After a bit of sword rattling at Marc this time, Octarian circles up the troops (9:25) just at the base of the Bridge and they take off shortly after. Silently, as he moves over the bridge, he notes one can feel some ancient security. Almost the feeling of permanence? Maybe it was just awe.
Up the road, they come to a crossing and with the mist, and the quiet, and a corprse, something seems offputting and unsettling. He briefs Erik and moves solo into the city, making sure all is in order, and it is. Better to be safe than sorry when lives could be at stake. They gather up (13:00) and continue on towards Rorikstead.
Part of Cosnach’s reason for being late was that the camp ahead looked populated, but it shouldn’t have been. But with the mist, Cosnach was attempting to wait and get SOME information. Instead, he got nothing and just arrived late though.
Also of note is that between here and Rorikstead, Octarin recalls a place in the road notoriously patrolled by a gang of bandits and tells the Wolves to be aware, more so with the fog.
Coming around a corner (15:07) it immediately become apparent that it’s been taken by bandits, and a battle commences. Once again, Octarin takes a head count, the wolves howl, and they move on. However, up ahead in the road (17:50), Octarin notices a rat, nothing to note by most.
Octarin isn’t most. He notes this is an ambush tactic. When approaching OBVIOUS ambush points, bandits will often have a decoy or distraction. Something to kill and calm you. Or, some ONE for you to kill, and when you are looting, the ambush commences.
To him, this is a warning, not something to lower his guard. And like the Wolves do, when they smell danger, they run in head first. Once business is done, they head up towards the villagers home who was in need of assistance, only to discover they arrived too late.
Once a bit of cynical humor that only Brothers and Sister in battle can appreciate is fully out of the way, the group heads into town (22:54) and similarly to before, Octarin turns them to helping the citizens and looking for some way to be of service. Or as he says, at the very least, to not be a general nuisance to the public until they leave on the morrow.
