Episode 25: A Cold Reception (Part 1)

After three days crossing the frozen tundra of Icewindale, the sight of the Angajuk Whaling Station looming on the not to distant shoreline, smoke rising from it's chimney was a pleasant sight. A beacon in the harsh landscape that would hopefully see them rested and warmed before continuing westwards in search of the "Dark Duchess".

As they drew nearer Aldrick and Grom from their lead sled we're able to discern shapes moving in front of the three storey building. To the right hand side they could also make it the extent of the wooden dock/pier that extended out into the frigid waters of the Sea of Moving Ice.

1500ft.............1000ft............750ft..........all of a sudden two of the shapes were heading towards them. Grom slowed his sled so that Tor and Shayde could pull along side. The shapes were still coming towards them, 500ft. It now became obvious that these two shapes were in fact Axebeaks being ridden. Our heroes slowed further allowing the riders to approach. 

Shayde remarked to her companions that they should approach with caution. Her reasoning that the ousted town speaker and Zhentarim agent Shandar had last been seen leaving Goodmead heading north and so far they had not encountered any trace of him or the other Zhentarim agents that had fled with him. 

"You need to turn around and go back where you came from" announced one of the riders as they came within ear shot. "You ain't welcome here ya hear me!"

Aldrick tried to down play the rather cold reception they had received by explaining they had been travelling for days and required shelter but would be on their way in the morning. There was no need to be hostile. The Axebeak riders were adamant in their demands and so initiative was rolled and combat erupted. 

The Axebeak riders moved towards the flanks using their crossbows to fire upon the stationary sleds. Tor summoned a pack of 8 wolves that proceeded to surround one of the Axebeaks and it's rider. Biting and gnashing and pulling the rider to the ground. Shayde leapt from the sled and dashed towards the second Axebeak and it's rider striking with her flaming short sword "Skath's Rawy Smarl". Grom loaded a bolt into his crossbow and fired at the same target Shayde was attacking. Aldrick cast scorching ray managing to score a hit with two out of the three rays. The rider who was now prone managed to scramble to his feet and tried to clamber back onto his mount but with little success. The wolf pack tore into the rider before he had a chance to escape. The second rider dug his heels into his Axebeak and charged towards the sleds. Shayde stabbed again as they galloped away striking again. The Axebeak crashed into the sled flipping in on its side and dragging two of the dogs with it. Shayde dashed after the fleeing rider bringing her blade down through the riders shoulder. The rider slumped forward before sliding from the back of the Axebeak dead.

The party finished of the Axebeaks as well. They would be meat for the Owlbear that had continued to follow the party. An investigation of the two dead bodies resulted in the discovery of tattoos which identified them as Zhentarim thugs. With a knowing nod between the four of them they righted the sled and the party slowly approached the whaling station. The wolf pack leading the way. At 150ft out the party stopped and dismounted. They would cautiously approach the remaining distance on foot. 

A number of individuals were visible milling around near the wooden pier, a couple more mounted on Axebeaks were roaming back and forth at the front and a handful were visible up on the top floor terrace. Orders were being given and shouting could be heard as the party continued their approach.

A bell started to ring. The sound carried on the wind as the the two sides watched and tried to get the measure of the other. A figure moved on the terrace and then snap, the sound of bow strings. Four more figures appeared at the windows and the thwack of crossbows being fired. Luckily for our heroes most of the ammunition missed their marks but it was now clear this was a force with superior numbers facing off against our four adventurers. 

Shayde nocked an arrow to her shortbow. Grom loaded a bolt into his crossbow. Tor urged the wolf pack to advance. The party moved forward. Deciding that the superior numbers with their ranged attacks would pose a threat Aldrick took his wand of the war mage, recited the now familiar incantation and unleashed a fireball at the terrace. It screamed through the air before exploding in an inferno. The four archers on the terrace were instantly ignited in flames which sent them screaming and diving into the icy waters below. They were dead before they hit the surface. 

Axebeak riders charged forward. More crossbow bolts flew. Zhentarim thugs moved forward. Wolves snarled and bit. Tor reached into her Grey Bag of Tricks. This time the fuzzy little ball transformed into a Dire Wolf which joined the fray intercepting one of the Axebeaks and it's rider. Taken aback by this new addition those within yhevwhaling station firing out made this the focus of thier attention. Luckily for the party most of the bolts being fired went well wide of their targets. 

The Axebeak riders used their spears to stab at the wolves but their numbers proved overwhelming. Aldrick threw fire bolts at the slowly approaching thugs as the bell continued to ring. With members of the opposition now engaged in melee combat Shayde used this to her advantage being able to add sneak attack damage to her ranged attacks. The wolves spurred on by the larger Dire Wolf hit with attack after attack as their pac tactics meant each rolled to hit with advantage. 

Slowly the wolves numbers were thinned by those shooting bolts and arrows from the windows of the whaling station. Two more thugs managed to get their Axebeaks under controlled and charged into the fray. 

The fighting raged on. Aldrick using his range spell attacks to support his companions casting Magic Middle, Scorching Ray and Chromatic Orb. The Zhentarim fought on. With the wolves gone they turned their attacks against the party. Aldrick using his reaction to cast shield to prevent an attack from hitting. Tor cast Spike Growth to control the right flank and slow those thugs and bandits that were now approaching with their maces to try and get into Melee. Grom and Shayde continued to use their ranged attacks also. Grom invoked his Hail of Thorns and following that another bonus action to cast Hunters Mark. Coupled with Shayde's sneak attacks the party continued to deal out the damage against there enemies who were struggling to inflict hits. 

It looked like our heroes had gained the upper hand. Tor reached into her bag of tricks again but this time the furry little ball came out as a weasel. It scurried off towards the building and climbed in through a window. 

And so just as our heroes thought things were going their way one of the heavy doors at the far side of the station was flung open and more adversaries poured out onto the frozen ground and headed towards the party, weapons out! 

And so our heroes had to ready themselves for further action. Will they be able to carry the fight to these Zhentarim thugs. Will they come face to face with Shandar Froth and who or what else is hiding inside the whaling station. What was the bell being rung for. Hopefully all will be revealed in the next episode. 

To be continued...................