Episode 07: Pit Meat!

General Summary

The Beacon Finders are called upon to perform their duty to the Concordant Mandates. On a Day of War, they travel to Mud Gate #7 and defend the Pit Wall from a squad of invaders.

Skarhir Kos - Mud Gate #7 Engagement Report

Witness: Crow Rider Penny Plumegloss, Scout

Background

The Ixallians are a known threat that we have encountered before. Thir vampire lords attack at night when they are at their most powerful. Prince Ironspike ordered the Hex Crystal Battalion to assemble at dusk, anticipating a long night of battle. Day watch was assigned to Canton levees. The Triple B Guild sent their newest recruits to guard Mud Gate 7.

Transcript of Events

I arrived early at the Gate Dispatch, where I met the defending force. A motley group of adventurers called themselves the Returners. At first, I thought they might be an unsponsored CDL (Concordant Defender League) team, but it turns out they were Triple B Guild hunters. At least they seemed competent.

JD & the Returners

Their composition was interesting:

• Taela Wrenleaf, a hungover elf ranger. She looked lost, AWOL, or possibly on parole.
• Gundar Starveil, a very handsome dwarf, no wedding bands. Believe me, I checked! He plays hard to get, even with my best wink and wave.
• Jackie Daytona, a funny human bard with magical bagpipes and a warm smile.
• Veoric sun Rozzo, a tiefling witch with a traitor hedron. He looks like the result of a sea genasi's pub crawl gone wrong with a cactus.

The crew was posted at Mud Gate 7, which had manifested near some houses, but was far from military structures. Rumors from the Roost suggested the enemy's primary push was gathering near the Navigator's Tower. I mounted up on Chipbeak, my trusty giant crow, just as the sun dipped toward supper.

Rowhouse Ambush

Chipbeak spotted movement amongst the staircase of rowhouses up to the gate. My spyglass confirmed that a squad of human soldiers was sneaking up to the gate. I sent a danger signal and reported the details back to the Roost. Jackie and his Returners responded quickly by fishing half a zoo out of their pockets!

The summoned beasts tore through the enemy lines, devastating their formation. The handsome dwarf fought with incredible grace. Delivering blows with the panache of a pro CDL fighter. He executed a double knee drop that had me cheering from above!

Taela the ranger came out of her hangover and fought with brutal precision. She vertically bisected an Ixalan soldier with an elegant slice. The witch summoned a swarm of glass-cutting knives and the bagpiper summoned illusions to disorient the foe.

They fought with an impressive combination of fang, blade, fisr and spell, cutting down nearly a dozen Ixalan soldiers in under half a minute. The enemy lieutenant tried to retreat, but the dwarf pursued him relentlessly.

Bulette Warbeast

The lieutenant, desperate to turn the tide, unleashed an Ixalan warbeast, a bulette that had been tunneling under the houses.

The warbeast was terrifying, despite its resemblance to an oversized toenail. It moved with alarming agility, leaping onto buildings to pursue Gundar the dwarf monk. One such leap collapsed the roofing entirely, though the dwarf managed to dance away and capture the Ixalan lieutenant in the chaos.

The bulette was relentless though and quickly reengaged. It targeted both the dwarf and the bard. Its massive leap and devastating strength left them injured and on the ground.

I was worried that JD & the Returners weren't going to make it after all. But I don't know how it ended! I've been summoned back to the Roost to prepare for the Ixalan attack tonight.