Lorrick

Decision Point-

The Vigil, Hurtanis, who reports directly to the commander of Fort Falk, Garrott Lord Talbot, has evidence of Cryxian incursion in form of banditry being supplied by Cryxian gold to weaken the farmlands south of Corvis in preparation for the eventual invasion of the south. The Cryxian commanders know with Cygnar occupied with Khador to the north, they cannot call on their entire resources to repel the invaders.

He is looking for adventurers to supplement his forces who are spread thin in an attempt to both discover the location of the entity behind the bandits, and also in an attempt to find out how widespread it it.

Here, Lorrick can help him, or he can go with Boomer to the north.

If Lorrick stays, he will encounter Veriman, a druid of Phaedra's Circle (this is several days before she returns to the Circle, she's still in Corvis unbeknownst to Veriman). Veriman will mention that the Eyes of the Forest have seen foreign men near the southern border of the forest.

The Reaper is actually basing his operations in a series of caves near the Tomb of Lost Souls and has evicted most of the other competition in the area (other monsters), except for those that will bow to his will (e.g. Plague Hounds).

The Vigils don't have enough men to dislodge the bandits camp sites. They need someone who is equipped for heavy combat.

The bandit chiefs secret weapon is an archaic steamjack that they are keeping in case of emergency and also when they plan on assaulting the nearest village of Darcett, which is at the center of the farming community south of Corvis. There is only a small garrison of guardsmen stationed there (14 total) and the steamjack can easily overcome them.

Constable Ennis (4th level fighter), is in charge of the garrison at Darcett. His squad consists of mostly untested guardsmen (one third level, five second level, and eight first level recruits).

The most senior of the squad is Kest, and the rest of the squad look to him when the Constable is not around.

The village headman is a farmer named Breslyn, with three sons, Doff, Lin and Mart, and his wife, Shetla.

The headman is worried about the cost of hiring Lorrick, and will be resistant to him helping unless Lorrick makes it clear he will work for what the village can afford.

In other events, Magister Brewan will request a meeting with Lorrick to discuss Ardigh's plans to become a Warcaster and enroll in the academy at Caspia. However, Ardigh doesn't want to leave and has decided to pursue it himself under the tutelage of an ex-warcaster at the Guild, but there are no extra Warjacks for him to practice with...

If Lorrick saves the village (more or less single-handedly), the Duke will be persuaded to give him an official position with a grant of lands where Fort Rhyker stands. The Duke figures this will give subdue the area near the Thornwood, and also make Lorrick subject to the crown, at least nominally. It would be the first time a dwarf would receive such an honor in Cygnar. This would also make him an honorary member of the Corvis city council if he so desired it (to be worked out with the mayor of course). None of this will happen immediately of course. Essentially, if Lorrick impresses Hurtanis with his courage and integrity, Hurtanis wil carry that word to Commander Talbot, who has the direct ear of the Duke.

Besides the steamjack, the bandits are camped near the fork of the river, southwest of Fernon Crag (a small city in Greybranch Gap). Their camp is well hidden in the foothills of the Caeryl's.

It is currently composed of Jarn, the bandit chieftan, and his mistress, Sokara, an evil priestess of the Devourer Wurm. Jarn's two seconds, Rogek and Tast, compete for his favor and frequently try to undermine each other. Sokara has several creatures of the Devourer under her sway, notably Krothsek, a cousin species to the the Dregg, that are constantly ravenous. She sometimes feeds captives to them and they are used a threat of loyalty for the rest of the encampment. They are also superlative trackers, with a keen sense of smell for living flesh.

The Reaper sends him emissary (one of the Wraith's) to the camp on occasion to check on his progress. Both Jarn and Sokara are frightened of the Reaper, and so are very diligent about following orders. They would not dream of betraying it, although they hate that it takes the bulk of their booty for itself.

Jarn, 7th level, 2nd level thief

Sokara, 7th level cleric, Devourer Domain

Rogek, 5th level fighter, 1st level theif, Tast, 6th level fighter

Also, 8 4th level fighters, 14, third level fighters, and 11 second level fighters, and 22 first level fighters for a total of 55 men. Because his numbers, Jarn has been fairly active of late, stealing from farms, raiding caravans and even attacking Darcett once to steal horses and other supplies.

Because of this, he has a dozen horses stabled in camp, and enough food for the next several weeks. This has allowed him to start planning to execute the Reaper's plan of wholesale pillage and spoilage of the farm lands in the area. He has stocks of poison supplied by the Reaper that will be used to poison wells in a 100 mile radius.

Jarn also has a +2 shortsword, enchanted leather armor +2, a +1 dagger and two vials of Vorm, a distilled version of the poison that they will use to ravage the farmlands. Vorm makes the user ravenous and unable to do anything except writhe in hunger and try to eat anything nearby if the useful fails the DC 20 check and a will save (DC 25).

Sokara wears bone armor (equivalent to scale mail +2), but uses spells for combat primarily. If pressed, she will produce the "Maw", a serrated jawbone ax (+3 enchantment) who jaws can snap shut on a failed reflex save (DC 15) and immobilize the arm of the foe.

The rest of bandits are equipped with short bows, short swords, daggers, and leather armor. Rogek wears +1 chain mail, and Tast has a +1 longsword.

They have 223 silver and 63 gold in their hoard.

If Lorrick is successful, the Duke will offer him lands near the Thornwood, with the mandate to start a village there to protect the refugees. He will be equivalent to a baron without the ability to pass the title on.