Rangers of Shadow Deep - The Beacon Tower - The Bridge Guards

Mission 2:  The Beacon Tower

Shortly after arriving back from destroying the spider nests, Serrol, Smootley and their companions were sent out again.  Contact had been lost with the beacon tower of Tor Varden, and we were to investigate, and eliminate any threats to Alladore.

Scenario 1:  The Bridge Guard


On the way, the Rangers came to the bridge over the Enthel River, only to find it occupied by a camp of Gnolls, clearly in the service of the Shadow.

Smootley gestured to himself, and to the left, and Serrol nodded, giving Smootley and his companions time to move ahead.  Serrol had Sakalas and Cadderly move to the right, while he darted through cover straight towards the bridge, taking a moment to buff his armor with a simple enchantment.

One of the gnolls, moving through their patrol pattern, spotted Sakalas and raised the alarm.  The mission changed - from a mission of stealth to a mission of survival.  The alarm must not reach Tor Varden!

In the far distance, Smootley noticed an Alladorean soldier staggering from the direction of Tor  Varden and into sight of the gnolls.  Smootley signaled to Serrol that friendly forces were in harm’s way.

Serrol moved out of cover, heading up to the gnolls on the bridge, letting out a loud shout and letting an arrow fly - if the gnolls were to fight someone, it would be him!  Smootley and his team began to engage the gnolls on the left flank, while gnolls who were creeping around to the right drew a bead on Sakalas and Cadderly


Combat continued, with Serrol fighting toe-to-toe with a number of gnolls, while Sakalas and Smootley dealt with the flanks.  The gnolls arrows started to find targets, wounding Sak and Serrol.

While Sakalas continued to exchange arrow fire with the flanking gnolls, and Smootley continued to move towards the battle, Serrol cut down a gnoll - then Cadderly, inspired by battle, charged the gnolls in combat with Serrol and cut one down with a single blow.

The Alladorean soldier took out a gnoll that remained by the camp, and went into the camp, finding a scroll, which turned out to be battle plans - something that the Ranger captain would be very interested in.

Unfortunately, Sakalas took an arrow, and was out of the fight, barely able to keep moving.

With only two gnoll archers left, the teams decided to flee; getting to the beacon tower was more important than killing stray gnolls.  Serrol, however, took a shot over his shoulder, and one of the two gnolls went down.

The Alladorean soldier, always opportunistic, gathered up some loot he found in the gnolls camp, then moved to group with the teams.  With only one gnoll remaining, the two Rangers and their companions crossed the river, and started the hike to the Beacon Tower, healing themselves on the way.  Fortunately, Sakalas’ wound was not as severe as they first thought, and he was healed without side effects.

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