We started with the distribution of the magical treasure from last time.  After much discussion, it fell out as such.  The Swashbuckler Paladin got the magic short sword with the stipulation that if we again faced a magic only foe, he’d pass it on to the Fighter so that he could have a chance to effect it.  The Rogue got the bracers of archery.  The Holy Paladin got the gloves of climbing and swimming, with the hopes that it might keep him alive a bit longer if he and his heavy armor fell into the sea.  The scroll of Alarm went to the Sorcerer since it was a ritual that he could cast.  The scroll of Alter Self went to the Wizard who successfully transcribed it into his spellbook.  One potion of Mind Reading went to the Rogue and one to the Swashbuckler since they seemed most likely to be doing the talking.

The next morning, still nursing our wounds from the last fight, we met with the sheriff.  We gave her a recap.  Again she was stunned at the notion of organized crime in the town.  But I suppose she is new on the job.  She wondered if the former sheriff’s sudden departure had something to do with it.  After a hardy thanks she asked if we’d be willing to do her a favor.  A friend of hers was having troubles with orc raiders.  Evidently she and her family owe/run a town in the foothills of the Fire Mountain.  We agreed to travel north and look into it.  At least it will be nice to be above ground for a change.  We asked for and she gave us a letter of introduction.  Several had inquired about upgrading their armor now that we had some funds but when we realized that our journey would take us through the major city of Long Bridge, most canceled their orders, figuring they could get better armor faster there.                   

Without horses, the best way to get there was to book passage on a boat going up the river to Long Bridge.  Once there, some armor was bought or ordered.  The Fighter visited his mother.  Not much else happened.  From there it was a walk east along the foothills the next morning.  We arrived without issue.  We noted that the villagers avoided us, locking their doors as we passed.  We could see the evidence of burned fields and structures.  We found the local tavern easy enough.  The Swashbuckler bought a round of drinks and started asking questions.  We noted a couple of guards checking us out so he bought them drinks and asked one of them to tell the lady that we had arrived from Jaylynn. 

She soon arrived with a few men and told us their tale.  The Holy Paladin was milling about outside, trying to sense any big evil in the area, and gave them the once over as they came in.  Not evil.  Orcs have been raiding, burning fields and spreading fear.  What we noted in her story was that they didn’t seem to be taking anything.  That seemed odd.  What’s the point of the raid? Other to spread fear.  The Swashbuckler agreed to help and negotiated room and board as payment to the grumbles of some of the rest.  It was the standard lawful good deal.  We get whatever we find on them which was likely (hopefully) more than this town could pay anyway.  Just after she left, another villager arrived.  He was the head of the local stonemasons and put forth his opinion that the only viable long term solution was to build a stone wall around the whole town.  The self-interest of this suggestion touched off everyone’s suspicions.  There was some banter but eventually, the Wizard said that once we got an idea of what was going on and if a wall seemed like a good solution, we’d recommend it.  This made him happy.  The Holy Paladin asked him to work out a cost estimate in the meantime, just in case.  As he left, the Rogue, eager to use her new Mage Hand, successfully plucked a coin from his purse without anyone (friend or foe) noticing.  With it, he bought a round of drinks for the house on his behalf.

We got a couple of rooms at the inn.  We sent out patrols that night but nothing happened.  The Rogue woke up the Monk and showed him his reflection in a mirror.  It showed rat-like features.  The full moon was approaching and he was hearing those rats so maybe he should be worried.  Or the Rogue could simply be messing with him.  He went back to sleep and showed no ill signs in the morning.  We headed out with Bryn, a local ranger.  We stopped at what seemed to be the last farm to the north.  He claimed that the Orcs had been swinging around and he hadn’t had any trouble.  I believe the Holy Paladin slipped him a gold piece to help the people in need in the area.  We next came upon a watering hole that has seen a lot of traffic.  It seemed obvious that some group had spent some time here.  From this point, it was going to take some tracking rolls as the ground was becoming rockier.  But we managed and could see the ruins of a fortress up on a point overlooking the area.  Bryn said she’d heard of it but that it’s been empty for years. 

We started sneaking as best we could.  We could hear loud cheering and there didn’t seem to be any guards on what remains of the walls.  As we got closer we could see a big Orc wrestling a black bear in a courtyard and 6 others on stairs cheering him on.  The sneakers were keen to sneak in from the side while the non-sneakers were stuck with a frontal assault.  For some reason, we decided to try both.  So the Rogue, Monk and Swashbuckler started sneaking, giving the rest a 100 count.  (It occurs to me now that the Wizard has the Message cantrip for just such a situation.)  At the count of 100, the Wizard popped out and cast a Shatter on the 6 to get things started.  That didn’t go so great.  All 6 saved and the damage rolled was only 10.  So overall it was 30 points of damage but no one was dropped.  We then rolled initiative.

So the Holy Paladin rolled highest.  He charged in and attacked the bear wrestler.  Unfortunately, the Fighter rolled worst so the Paladin had to face almost all the on the attacks on this front.  The Wizard went and cast an Ice Knife which did some decent damage to a few of them and then moved back into cover.  The Sorcerer did a twined Chaos Bolt but missed with both of them.  Some more came out of the building and one went back in to warn the leaders, we assumed.  Meanwhile, on the other front, they found 2 archer guards which they engaged.  It wasn’t too tough but a couple more showed up and so those 3 were tied up a couple rounds.  Finally, the Fighter came charging in to help the Sorcerer and at least give them another target. 

On the frontal assault front, the Paladin and the Fighter took damage but managed to keep the casters free to cast their spells.  They whittled down their numbers.  On the side front, once those guards were mostly gone, the Rogue zoomed over to help out on the front.  The Swashbuckler and Monk choose to peek into the building and discovered an orc leader and his pet worg.  That opened another front since they were spotted.  The Swashbuckler got battered pretty good but the Monk wasn’t touched.  When the front guys finished, they charged ahead and joined in.  The enraged leader was the last to fall.  None of us were dropped.

We searched and found miscellaneous wealth plus 4 healing potions.  And a locked chest.  When opened, it contained 500 gp and had the symbol of the mason’s guild on its lid.  Damning evidence, to be sure.  We found their horses and decided to stay the night to rest up.  And ended there.  Assuming we survive the night, we’ll head back to town the next day.  With Bryn as a witness and the chest as evidence, the stonemason guy has some explaining to do.  But that’s not really our problem.  The orc trouble has been solved so we should be done.  We’ve got to go back to Long Bridge to pick up some custom armor that the Swashbuckler ordered.  Maybe we can sell some used orc gear.